The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Rico Dowdle to share carries with Jaylen Warren , but the free-agent tailback addition can line up at quarterback in the worst-case scenario.
Dowdle, who's posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, was A.C. Reynolds High School's signal-caller as a senior in 2015. He set a Western North Carolina record by accounting for 63 touchdowns as a dual-threat talent.
Even playing quarterback, Dowdle rushed for 2,545 yards and 51 touchdowns. He passed for another 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Citizen-Times named him All-WNC Football Player of the Year for his effort.
"I think it just helped me just understand defenses better, honestly," Dowdle said in a sit-down with Missi Matthews. "You know, high school, it's not the same level. High school is easier than college and the NFL, but just getting back there, seeing the defense from a quarterback perspective, I have been able to do that. I've been the third, the emergency quarterback for the Cowboys and for the Panthers last year."
Rico Dowdle at his introductory press conference on March 13, 2026. — Pittsburgh Steelers
Dowdle signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Steelers after one season with the Carolina Panthers . He toted the ball 236 times for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns for Dave Canales' team.
"I wouldn't say — not necessarily — that it doesn't mean something to me, but it's kinda behind me now," Dowdle said. "Now it's, 'Can I go do it again?' I've gotta go do it again this year. It doesn't really matter. I've got to where I'm at now. I've (done) it. I'm definitely proud that I've did that, been able to accomplish that, being undrafted and things like that. But I've gotta continue to go put my best foot forward and do it again. That's the goal."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Rico Dowdle Ready for Steelers to Use Him in Unexpected Role
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