Panthers ink former Cowboys RB to a one-year deal

Rico Dowdle has found his next opportunity. The former Cowboys running back has a one-year deal in place with the Panthers, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports. The pact (which is now official) has a maximum value of $6.25M, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds.

After the Cowboys lined up a deal with Javonte Williams, it became clear Dowdle would be on the move. The latter will earn base salary of $2.75M, Joe Person of The Athletic notes. 

Upon arrival in Carolina, Dowdle will join a running backs room featuring one established starter along with a 2024 draftee seen as being a long-term solution at the position.

The Panthers have Chuba Hubbard on the books for years to come after he inked an extension midway through the 2024 campaign. Hubbard topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time last season, and he can be expected to handle lead back duties for at least the short-term future. Jonathon Brooks — selected in the second round last April — made only three appearances as a rookie after rehabbing the ACL tear which ended his college career. During that stretch, Brooks suffered a second tear, however, so he will miss time in 2025.

That will allow Dowdle to handle at least a rotational role with his new team. The 26-year-old saw sparse usage during his first three Dallas campaigns, but the decision to allow Tony Pollard to depart after playing on the franchise tag allowed Dowdle to see a starter’s workload. 

He posted 1,338 yards from scrimmage while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Those figures (along with his low mileage) were insufficient to earn the former UDFA a multi-year pact, though.

This short-term arrangement will nevertheless pave the way for a homecoming. Dowdle is an Asheville, North Carolina native and he spent his college career at South Carolina. Coming off the most productive campaign of his pro tenure, it will be interesting to see how he fares with his hometown team. 

Teams still in search of veteran backfield depth, meanwhile, now have an even thinner pool of options to choose from.