Rico Dowdle is well on his way to a massive pay day in more ways than one if he can continue his high level of play down the final stretch
The Carolina Panthers running back has been earning some serious money.
Running back Rico Dowdle has been one of the top surprises in the entire NFL this season after signing a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Dowdle went overlooked in free agency after posting a 1,000-yard season with the Dallas Cowboys and intended to make the most of his opportunities after the Panthers took a chance on him.
The Western NC native started the season in a rotation with Chuba Hubbard and finally got his real first look as the starter when Hubbard went down with a calf injury ahead of Week 5. Dowdle exploded onto the scene the following two weeks and has earned a more sizable role in the Panthers offense since then, he’s also earned quite a massive pay day coming up.
Rico Dowdle set to earn a lot more money in 2025 and beyond the season
Playing on a one-year deal, Dowdle will be able to go back to the negotiating table with the Panthers after the season comes to a close. ESPN’s David Newton shared back on Nov. 21 that Dowdle and his agent have not yet talked to the team about a new deal.
Whether it’s with Carolina or not, Dowdle has earned a sizable contract somewhere and it’d make sense from a business standpoint if the Panthers let Dowdle walk considering they already paid Hubbard plus drafted Jonathan Brooks and Trevor Etienne.
As far as the 2025 season goes, Dowdle has four more regular season games to continue producing at a high level and even has some incentives within his current contract with the Panthers to earn some extra money back before hitting the market again.
This season, Dowdle has totaled 1,183 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns. If he can reach 1,350 scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns plus be named to the Pro Bowl, he can earn a maximum of $3.5 million in incentives. He’s already hit certain stat thresholds to earn $1.75 million.
Stat-wise, Dowdle should easily reach those two marks in the final four games of the regular season while pushing his team to a potential playoff berth. The Pro Bowl nod will be the one worth paying attention to. As of Monday, Dowdle ranks 7th among all running backs and 4th in the NFC based on the early vote rankings that were released.
It just gives him a little bit extra to push for down the final stretch. But for Dowdle, I’m sure he’s just focused on doing what he can to help propel the Panthers into the postseason.
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