New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy could look to reunite with one of his former Dallas Cowboys running backs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a two-headed monster at running back in 2025 with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell , but some believe they could have a new bell cow in 2026.
Greg Auman of Fox Sports thinks the Steelers could try to reunite new head coach Mike McCarthy with former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle .
"Dowdle, 27, has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Cowboys and Panthers — nearly identical years, within 3 yards and one carry of each other, with the exact same number of catches," Auman wrote . "He had a lukewarm market a year ago and signed for $2.75 million with Carolina, but doubled his pay by cashing out another $2.75 million in incentives. Carolina leaning on Chuba Hubbard down the stretch could have him signing elsewhere."
Dowdle is certainly an intriguing player as a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher with two different teams, but it's hard to imagine Pittsburgh paying three running backs top dollar on their roster.
Warren is already under contract through the 2027 season after signing a two-year contract extension last offseason. It's also hard to imagine the team not doing everything it can to retain its MVP in Gainwell.
In 2025, Gainwell rushed for 537 yards and five touchdowns while also leading the Steelers with 73 catches for 486 yards and three more scores.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 2, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
There is a belief that Gainwell could be had for a mere two-year, $6 million deal , but most fans will likely believe it when they see it following his breakout campaign.
If another team can lure Gainwell away from Pittsburgh for more money, Dowdle could become an interesting addition to pair with Warren, but several players will likely be vowing for Gainwell to return next season.
"Kenny's been unbelievable in the passing game. Just unbelievable," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "And he's so damn smart. I was telling him, 'I wish I had played with him for 10 years.' Just because the kind of player that he is. You just love playing with that guy."
An undrafted free agent out of the 2020 NFL Draft, Dowdle has rushed for 2,540 yards and 10 touchdowns and recorded 95 catches for 690 yards and six more scores in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Predicted to Reunite Mike McCarthy With Former Cowboys RB
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