The Carolina Panthers have made headlines this week by signing former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal valued at up to $6.25 million. This strategic move follows the recent release of veteran running back Miles Sanders, indicating the Panthers' commitment to bolstering their running back depth and capability as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
On March 12, 2025, the Panthers officially announced the signing, emphasizing Dowdle's promising potential after his impressive performance with the Cowboys last season. Dowdle, who will turn 27 years old on June 14, 2025, is coming off his best season yet, where he notched 1,079 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 235 carries. Remarkably, he led the Cowboys by over 800 yards compared to the team's second-leading rusher, Ezekiel Elliott.
The addition of Dowdle is significant, particularly as the Panthers had moved on from Miles Sanders just one day earlier, on March 11, 2025. With the release of Sanders—who had served as one of the team's front-line runners—Carolina recognized the necessity of finding experienced talent to fill the void left behind. Dowdle fits the bill perfectly, having showcased his capabilities when he was finally handed the reins by then-Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy later last season.
From Week 12 onwards, Dowdle handled over 68% of the Cowboys' carries, which ranked among the highest for any running back at the time. During this span, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry, demonstrating his effectiveness and adaptability as a runner. Dowdle not only excelled on traditional run plays but also showcased versatility with his strong performance on zone and gap runs—posting success rates of 57% and 4.9 yards per carry, respectively.
Current Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard also enjoyed success last season, registering 1,000 rushing yards himself and signing a lucrative four-year, $33.2 million extension midway through the 2024 season. With Hubbard’s impressive 54.8% rushing success rate—tied for fifth-best among running backs last year—and Dowdle's sixth place at 53.6%, the two have the potential to form a formidable backfield partnership for the Panthers.
Although Dowdle's signing creates excitement, it also surfaces concerns related to the Panthers' depth chart at running back. Rookie Jonathon Brooks, who was drafted 46th overall by the Panthers, is facing major setbacks after re-tearing the same ACL he injured during college. Current assessments suggest Brooks may miss the entire 2025 season, placing even greater emphasis on the importance of Dowdle's role moving forward.
The Panthers could still explore additional signings or draft options, especially as Brooks' injury timeline remains uncertain. Dowdle’s addition may allow Carolina to retain Hubbard's health and performance throughout the season, reducing the likelihood of over-reliance on the young star.
Dowdle's skill set also positions him as a threat for both rushing and receiving plays, evidenced by his 39 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns last season. He provides the Panthers with flexibility, as he not only has the capacity to carry the ball but can also contribute significantly to the passing game.
Looking forward, this duo of Dowdle and Hubbard offers Panthers' head coach Dave Canales intriguing possibilities. The decision to secure Dowdle reflects the organization’s careful planning and foresight, especially after choosing to move on from seasoned backs like Miles Sanders. The upcoming season shapes up to be pivotal as the Panthers work to build their ground game around the new-and-improved backfield roster.
The Panthers’ investment in Dowdle echoes their intent to create depth and resilience within their running back corps as they prepare for the challenges of the NFL. Moving forward, training camps and the rest of the offseason will be instrumental, providing time for Dowdle and Hubbard to build chemistry and get accustomed to their roles within the new system.
All eyes will be on the Panthers as they navigate through the remainder of the offseason, aiming to unearth potential players who can contribute and support the revamped backfield. With both Dowdle and Hubbard capable of assuming roles as lead backs, the future looks promising as the Panthers look to turn their fortunes around for the 2025 NFL season.