Rico Dowdle, coming to the Steelers after a 1,000-yard season with the Panthers, says he’ll focus inward as Pittsburgh figures out how to split playing time with Jaylen Warren.
Rico Dowdle didn’t just arrive in Pittsburgh—he arrived with a recent reminder of what happens when the lead back role finally clicks.
In the 2025 season, Dowdle emerged as the lead back with the Panthers and posted his second straight 1,000-yard season. But Carolina won’t be part of his 2026 plans. Dowdle moved on to the Steelers as a free agent. and with that move came a reality he’s not trying to sugarcoat: he didn’t secure a clear path to the No. 1 running back job.
That job, at least for now, belongs to Jaylen Warren. Warren is back for his fifth season in Pittsburgh. and one of the offseason tasks for the Steelers is sorting out how they are going to divvy up the playing time in the backfield. Dowdle’s message about how he’ll handle the competition is simple—no outward bargaining. no trying to force a decision.
“We got two guys who can go out there and do the job at a high level,” Dowdle said, via Will Graves of the Associated Press. “The coaches will decide how that goes. And I just come out here and put my best foot forward each day and let the rest take care of itself.”
The contrast is clear: Pittsburgh has a veteran incumbent in Warren, while Dowdle is the newcomer who has to earn every meaningful snap. What might soften the pressure for him is his history with the organization’s current head coach.
Dowdle’s first 1. 000-yard season came with the Cowboys in 2024 while playing for Mike McCarthy. who is now the head coach for the Steelers. With Warren standing as the incumbent and Pittsburgh still working through the backfield math. Dowdle’s path runs through the same place as his quote—show up each day. let the coaches decide. and hope the results do the talking.
Rico Dowdle Steelers Jaylen Warren Carolina Panthers 2025 season 2026 campaign backfield split Mike McCarthy Cowboys 2024 season