Running back Rico Dowdle and the Pittsburgh Steelers agree on a 2-year deal, AP source says
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) looks to avoid Los Angeles Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (1) during an NFL wild card playoff football game, on Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. Credit: AP/Brian Westerholt
Running back Rico Dowdle and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed on a $12.25 million, two-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on Wednesday.
Dowdle ran for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns last year in Carolina after surpassing 1,000 yards in Dallas in 2024. He’ll help replace Kenneth Gainwell, who agreed on a deal with Tampa Bay.
Pittsburgh opened the free agency period Monday by upgrading their wide receiver group, acquiring veteran Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis for a late-round pick in this year’s draft.
A person with knowledge of the deal told the AP the Colts are sending Pittman to Pittsburgh. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official.
Pittman has 485 receptions for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons, including 80 catches for 784 yards and seven scores in 2025.
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AP Sports Writer Will Graves contributed to this report.
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