Steelers’ Dowdle’s Move Spurs Super Bowl Dreams!
Rich Dowdle has revenge on his mind when looking forward to next season's contest between Carolina and Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a long way to go before the 2026 NFL season kicks off, but one game we know will be on their schedule is against the Carolina Panthers – and recent Steelers free agent running back signee Rico Dowdle is highly anticipating that contest in particular. Dowdle spent the 2025 season in Carolina before becoming a free agent and inking a deal with the Steelers this past week, where he had one the best seasons of his career, recording 1,076 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns and 297 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. And while business is business, Dowdle also has some revenge on his mind after the Panthers let him walk this offseason.
"Yeah, it's definitely circled," Dowdle said about the game. "It's definitely circled, for sure. " New #Steelers RB Rico Dowdle says he already has this season’s Panthers–Steelers game circled on his calendar.
Dowdle had 239 yards in a revenge game vs. the Cowboys last season. pic.
twitter. com/Ma1207zgcX — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 13, 2026 If Dowdle does have a big performance against the Panthers, it wouldn't be the first time he's shown up massively against a former team. Dowdle spent his first five seasons in the league with the Dallas Cowboys, and last season, in a clash between Carolina and Dallas, Dowdle racked up 239 scrimmage yards and one receiving touchdown in a 30-27 win for the Panthers.