The Dallas Cowboys will have almost a completely different backfield next season. While not a complete surprise, it was a bit of a shock to the system that they didn't bring back Rico Dowdle, who brought needed balance to the offense when he was made the workhorse.
It was obvious in training camp that he was the best running back on the roster, but for reasons that may never make sense Ezekiel Elliott was shoehorned into the offense after he was shockingly re-signed after the draft.
Many thought Dowdle would have a strong market after his breakout year, but he ultimately landed with the Panthers on a modest one-year deal. The Cowboys signed former Broncos second-round pick Javonte Williams to essentially the same contract.
So why didn't Dallas just re-sign Dowdle at that point? It's a mystery and it becomes even more baffling following a report from Panthers reporter Joe Person of The Athletic.
Cowboys not re-signing Rico Dowdle looks more questionable by the day
"Despite his success in a contract year, Dowdle took a one-year, incentive-filled contract with Carolina when no teams offered him a multiyear deal. His plan is to stay healthy, remain productive and test the market again next year."
Joe Person of The Athletic
So, the Cowboys didn't even offer Dowdle a multiyear deal. What gives?
A large contingent of fans were open to Dallas giving Dowdle a mid-season extension amid his breakout year before his market would (presumably) spike in free agency.
While not a home-run hitter, Dowdle proved he can be an above-average starter in the league in a workhorse role. The 26-year-old ranked top 10 at the position with a 53.6% rushing success rate while posting a 74.4 PFF rushing grade, 3.28 yards after contact per attempt and 45 forced missed tackles.
In a poor free agency class, it was widely thought Dowdle could get at least $6 million per year. PFF projected Dowdle to sign a three-year, $15 million deal with $8.5 million guaranteed. He signed with Carolina for $3 million, with incentives taking its max value to just over $6 million.
It begs the question of why Dowdle's market was so truncated?
It's possible teams, including the Cowboys, were wary of his injury history. Dowdle missed all of the 2021 season and all but five games of the 2022 campaign due to injurie. However, he played 32 of a possible 34 regular-season games the last two years and saw the most usage of his career, including a career-high 235 carries in 2024.
Former Steelers first-round pick Najee Harris is the only RB who's signed for more than $5 million annually this offseason.
Dowdle certainly doesn't have Harris' track record or durability. Maybe he needs one more good year before NFL teams are willing to commit to him for more than one season. Regardless, it remains befuddling why Dallas didn't capitalize on his shrunken market.
