Rico Dowdle, Steelers agree to terms in free agency: Contract details
The Pittsburgh Steelers have found Jaylen Warren's new backfield partner.
Pittsburgh and pending free agent running back Rico Dowdle have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, according to multiple reports. Dowdle will replace Kenneth Gainwell in the Steelers' running backs room after the latter agreed to terms to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Second-year Kaleb Johnson will also return to Pittsburgh for the 2026 season.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz was first to report the news of Dowdle's deal.
Dowdle, 27, is coming off two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, each with a different team. The six-year NFL veteran signed a one-year, "prove-it" deal with the Carolina Panthers in 2025 after a 2024 season that saw him cross the 1,000-yard mark for the first time with the Dallas Cowboys.
Dowdle reunited with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh after playing for McCarthy's Cowboys teams for the first five years of his career.
In addition to tallying near-identical totals in rush attempts (235 in 2024; 236 in 2025) and rushing yards (1,079 in 2024, then 1,076) in 2025, Dowdle also set a new career high with six rushing touchdowns last year. His 297 receiving yards were also a career-high mark.
The Steelers finished the 2025 season 26th in the NFL, averaging 103.3 rushing yards per game.
As of March 9, Pittsburgh does not have a clear starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season.
Rico Dowdle contract detailsDowdle and the Steelers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract. Here are the numbers:
- Term: Two years
- Total value: $12.25 million
- Guaranteed money: To be reported
- Average annual value (AAV): $6.125 million
- Jaylen Warren
- Rico Dowdle
- Kaleb Johnson
Dowdle should be expected to split carries with incumbents Warren and Johnson in Pittsburgh's backfield, similar to what Gainwell did in 2025. Time will tell if McCarthy promotes Dowdle to a true leading role in the Steelers' backfield after the running back took on that mantle with the 2024 Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rico Dowdle contract details: Free agent RB reaches deal with Steelers