Carolina Panthers RB Rico Dowdle is an unrestricted free agent.
Could the Carolina Panthers lose RB Rico Dowdle to an AFC contender this offseason?
It's possible.
Dowdle is an unrestricted free agent and many people around the NFL believe he will be too expensive for the Panthers to re-sign.
NFL analyst Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, though, believes the Kansas City Chiefs can sign Dowdle "at a modest price."
"Despite his recent production, Dowdle won't garner as much attention as the household names with accolades and early-round draft pedigrees," Moton wrote. "He may be available at a modest price, making him an ideal fit for the Kansas City Chiefs.
"The Chiefs are $11.4 million over the cap threshold. They can restructure Chris Jones' deal to save $22.5 million. With about $11 million in salary-cap resources, they can make a competitive offer to Dowdle, who's been a productive three-down running back over the last two seasons.
"Along with his rising rushing totals, Dowdle has caught 78 passes for 546 yards and four touchdowns since 2024. If the Chiefs lose Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in free agency, Dowdle could handle the lion's share of their backfield touches in a significant role."
Dowdle had a great 2025 season with the Panthers. He put up 1,076 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 297 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 17 games.
A South Carolina product, Dowdle has been one of the most productive players at his position the last two years. He has 2,155 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 546 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns with the Dallas Cowboys and Panthers.
According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, the Panthers "have interest in bringing back Dowdle at the right price." Dowdle, though, wants to go to a team where he'll get the bulk of the carries after sharing the backfield with Chuba Hubbard last season.
It will be fascinating to see where Dowdle is playing next season. The odds of him returning to the Panthers are low since Carolina has Hubbard.
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