One NFL analyst seems to believe he knows who the Pittsburgh Steelers lead back will be this season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers already had a capable running back in Jaylen Warren heading into this offseason, but the team decided to add veteran Rico Dowdle in free agency. That has since raised the question: Who will be the Steelers' workhorse this season?
Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports seems to believe it will be Dowdle.
"When you've got an aging quarterback, you've got to find ways to support him, and a strong running game could really help. The Steelers didn't have one last year (103.3 yards per game, 26th in the league). But McCarthy thinks the signing of RB Rico Dowdle could change that," Vacchiano wrote .
"Remember, McCarthy helped turn him into a 1,000-yard back in Dallas two years ago (1,079 yards, 2 TDs), and he continued to prove he's capable in Carolina last season (1,076-6). Dowdle should end up as the workhorse in the Steelers' backfield. And if he plays well, he and Jaylen Warren (958 yards last season) could be a potent tandem."
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 6, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
There's no doubt that Warren and Dowdle could be one of the best running back duos in the league.
Warren is coming off a career-high 958 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns in 2025 while Dowdle put together his second straight 1,000-rushing yard season.
However, there is something to durability, and while Warren has stayed relatively healthy through the first four years of his NFL career, 5-foot-11, 215-pound Dowdle seems better built to handle more carries on a week-to-week basis.
Of course, that can change based on the Steelers' opponent and game plan, but there is a strong case for Dowdle to be the team's workhorse, especially given his history with McCarthy.
The post Who Will Be Steelers Workhorse Running Back in 2026? appeared first on Steelers Now .
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