RB Rico Dowdle reveals why he signed with Panthers
The Carolina Panthers and running back Rico Dowdle didn't seem to be a likely pairing in free agency this offseason. But according to Dowdle himself, there are quite a few reasons why this could be a match made in heaven for 2025.
Dowdle, who agreed to a one-year, $6.2 million deal with Carolina last week, chatted with Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com to discuss his decision to sign on. And while the appeal of coming home to his friends and family certainly played a factor, the Asheville, N.C. native pointed to the team's offensive line as a huge pull for him.
"That's something you look at, at the offensive line, evaluate it like, 'OK, yeah, those guys are doing that, you know, they're pretty good,'" Dowdle said. "So when I knew I was coming here, I started doing my research and stuff on the O-line, seeing all the positive on it and how they've built it up these past couple years. So definitely was intriguing to see.
"With those guys up front, I've watched a little bit of film already, and those guys, they pretty much run mid-zone, similar to what—we ran outside-zone in Dallas."
Not only is Carolina fielding its best offensive front in quite a few years, but they're also doing it with the all-important continuity.
The Panthers were able to bring back centers Austin Corbett and Cade Mays as well as versatile backup Brady Christensen. Their returns—specifically those of Corbett and Mays—will allow Carolina to line up a familiar starting unit in 2025.
That group helped running back Chuba Hubbard rip off a career season in 2024, where he ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Dowdle is also coming off his best pro campaign, as he rushed for 1,079 yards and two scores for the Dallas Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: Rico Dowdle reveals why he signed with Panthers
Topics
-
Rico Dowdle: Energy of Panthers offense will be brought through running backs
Rico Dowdle ran for more than 1,000 yards as the lead back with the Cowboys last season, but he's set for a different role in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Former Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle signing with Panthers on one-year deal reportedly worth up to $6.25M
Dowdle will form a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Chuba HubbardCBS Sports - 6d -
2025 NFL free agency buzz: Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks shelved for all of 2025?
The Panthers are signing running back Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal, strongly pointing to a plan that appears to be leaning into sitting Brooks for the entirety of the 2025 season.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Cowboys signing Javonte Williams: Dallas adding ex-Broncos RB to replace Rico Dowdle, per report
Williams can reportedly earn up to $3.5 million with incentives in DallasCBS Sports - Mar. 11 -
2025 NFL free agency: 10 best value signings, including Rico Dowdle to Panthers, Poona Ford to Rams
These players could bring plenty of bang for their buckCBS Sports - 6d -
Will Rico Dowdle leaving the Cowboys for the Panthers hurt Chuba Hubbard's fantasy football value?
Matt Harmon examines how the Carolina backfield could look with the new addition, and what it means for fantasy.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Former Panthers RB Miles Sanders plans to sign with Cowboys
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, former Panthers RB Miles Sanders plans to sign a one-year deal with the Cowboys.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
WR Mack Hollins reveals three reasons why he signed with Patriots
Veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins revealed three reasons why he signed with the New England Patriots.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Former Panthers RB/WR expected to sign with division rival
Velus Jones Jr., who appeared in two games for the Panthers in 2024, is headed further down in the NFC South.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Dolphins adding 2-time Super Bowl champion linebacker, per report
The Dolphins are adding a former Chiefs second-round pick who played a key role in two of their Super Bowl runs.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Tokyo series recap: Dodgers dominate but are there concerns? + AL Central preview | Baseball Bar-B-Cast
In a very special edition of the Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman joins Jake Mintz in person in the Yahoo NYC studio to record the pod. The two recap the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs and ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Marcus Morris on Daryl Morey: I just don't trust him...he flips too many players in and out, he's trying to outsmart the game too much
Appearing on the latest episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show podcast, vYahoo Sports - 15m -
Scheierman's Celtics teammates weren't letting his big game pass without a celebration
In Scheierman's first-ever walk-off interview with the iconic Jackie MacMullan, the Celtics rookie shooting guard got the usual mid-interview shower.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
A look at injuries that could shape the NCAA Tournament and the brackets of millions of Americans
The chances of Houston cutting down the nets at the Final Four in a few weeks could depend on the uncertain status of J'Wan Roberts' ailing right ankle. The same can be said for fellow No. 1 seed ...Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Dolphins adding 2-time Super Bowl champion linebacker, per report
The Dolphins are adding a former Chiefs second-round pick who played a key role in two of their Super Bowl runs.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Tokyo series recap: Dodgers dominate but are there concerns? + AL Central preview | Baseball Bar-B-Cast
In a very special edition of the Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman joins Jake Mintz in person in the Yahoo NYC studio to record the pod. The two recap the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs and ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Marcus Morris on Daryl Morey: I just don't trust him...he flips too many players in and out, he's trying to outsmart the game too much
Appearing on the latest episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show podcast, vYahoo Sports - 15m -
Scheierman's Celtics teammates weren't letting his big game pass without a celebration
In Scheierman's first-ever walk-off interview with the iconic Jackie MacMullan, the Celtics rookie shooting guard got the usual mid-interview shower.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
A look at injuries that could shape the NCAA Tournament and the brackets of millions of Americans
The chances of Houston cutting down the nets at the Final Four in a few weeks could depend on the uncertain status of J'Wan Roberts' ailing right ankle. The same can be said for fellow No. 1 seed ...Yahoo Sports - 16m