Rico Dowdle's contract details make his departure from Cowboys even more painful than it already was
Listen, I'm a real-life optimist. Or at least I try damn hard to be one. If it's raining, I'm excited. If it's sunny outside, all the better. That translates to sports, at least without losing objectiveness. But I've got to be honest: I can't get on board with the Dallas Cowboys' handling of the running […]
Listen, I'm a real-life optimist. Or at least I try damn hard to be one. If it's raining, I'm excited. If it's sunny outside, all the better. That translates to sports, at least without losing objectiveness. But I've got to be honest: I can't get on board with the Dallas Cowboys' handling of the running back position this offseason.
The Cowboys signed Javonte Williams to a one-year deal worth $3 million with upside to $3.5 million. The moment the news broke, I described it as the front office choosing finances over football. In other words, they decided to go with a cheaper acquisition than Rico Dowdle.
When Dowdle ended up signing a deal worth up to $6.25 million, I considered those suspicions confirmed. Once details came out, however, I was baffled at the Cowboys choosing Williams over him.
According to Panthers insider Joe Person from The Athletic, it's a $2.75 million base value for Dowdle, less than what Williams got from Dallas. On top of that, Dowdle has incentives to more than double it, but the base is under $3 million.
Explain that to me! Dowdle was 16th in rushing success rate for the 2024 NFL season and ranked Top 10 for a good chunk of it. Williams was 49th and hasn't averaged over four yards per carry since 2022, when he tore three ligaments of his knee. He hasn't been the same since.
I struggle to understand what happened here. Did the Cowboys simply rush to get something done with Williams because they thought Dowdle was going to go for a higher price tag? Did Dowdle turn down their offers to (likely) accept a RB2 role in Carolina behind Chubba Hubbard? Even the backup job isn't a guarantee as he will have to compete with Jonathon Brooks as the former second-round pick works back from injury?
Whatever the process was that got Dallas to this position, it's unacceptable. They significantly worsened their running back room while paying more money to their new player. And while it's true Dowdle can end up doubling his pay day, would that be that big of a deal if he did for the Cowboys? If you're paying the incentives it means he's playing good football.
It's just not good team building.
