Grading the signing: Steelers finally replace Najee Harris a year later after Mike McCarthy reunites with a familiar face
The Steelers have made a major move at the running back position following the loss of Kenny Gainwell.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had one of the busiest Monday’s that you can in free agency. After acquiring Michael Pittman and Jamel Dean, the Steelers also watched a few critical pieces walk out of the door for the final time.
None of whom could you argue was more valuable than running back Kenny Gainwell, who was quite literally the team MVP in 2025. Well, the Steelers didn’t wait long to replace him, only he’s not a direct fit in terms of what Gainwell provided. Instead, he brings back what the Steelers were missing with Najee Harris.
Steelers are signing RB Rico Dowdle
Dowdle has rushed for 1,000 yards or more in back-to-back seasons. In 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy, and again last season with the Carolina Panthers. He doesn’t offer the pass-catching upside that Gainwell did, but he brings a physical element to the run game.
At 6-2 and 215 pounds wth a one-cut-and-go kind of running style, the Steelers can get Jaylen Warren back to some of those pass-catching duties and rely on Dowdle as their true bell cow, similar to the dynamic the offense had when Najee Harris was still in Pittsburgh. For more on what Dowdle will bring to Piittsburrgh I spoke with Kole Noble, who contrbutes to Panthers coverage at A to Z Sports.
What are the Steelers receiving from Rico Dowdle?
“Rico Dowdle put together a strong 1,000-yard season as the starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and hoped it would lead to a lucrative free agent market. Instead, Dowdle was passed over and eventually decided to sign with the Carolina Panthers to play in a two-back offense with Chuba Hubbard. When Hubbard went down for two games early in the season, Dowdle had a linsanity run as the starter racking up 389 yards and two total touchdowns.”
“Unfortunately, the Panthers remained committed to Hubbard and continued operating with a dual-back rotation when he returned that wasn’t ideal for either player. Dowdle is still eager to find a true starting opportunity as a lead back and hopefully that two-game sample size will be enough to entice a team looking for a top-caliber back at a discounted price. He truly has untapped upside as a versatile back with minimal mileage under his belt.” – Noble
Final Grade on Rico Dowdle signing
Update: Dowdle signed a two-year deal worth $12.25 million. We can definitely keep an A grade at that value.
I shouldn’t give a firm grade on the signing until the contract details have been released, but assuming he makes around the $7 million or less per year that Gainwell received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I would give this signing an A.
At only 27 years old, with a hunger to prove he’s a true lead back and the experience and familiarity in Mike McCarthy’s scheme, he’s a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Steelers’ offense.
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