The Carolina Panthers have received a rather strong warning heading into NFL free agency.
The Carolina Panthers are still firmly in the NFC playoff picture, but it's never too early to start thinking about the offseason, especially considering that the Panthers clearly are not Super Bowl contenders.
Carolina still has holes it needs to fill next spring, and it should have enough cap room to make some things happen in free agency.
Of course, the Panthers will also have to worry about re-signing some of their own players, and they have already received a stern warning in that regard, with Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox urging Carolina to prioritize keeping running back Rico Dowdle.
"An under-the-radar free-agent signing over the summer, Dowdle has emerged as a significant piece of Carolina's offensive puzzle. The former Dallas Cowboys starter has already more than 1,100 scrimmage yards and is averaging an impressive 5.0 yards per attempt," Knox wrote. "Dowdle will only turn 28 next offseason and has only seen a significant workload in two of his NFL seasons. He'll be one of the hottest running backs on the 2026 free-agent market if the Panthers allow him to reach it."
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.The Panthers signed Dowdle last offseason with the hope that he would serve as a reliable backup/complementary piece to Chuba Hubbard, who racked up 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground last year.
However, Dowdle has actually emerged as Carolina's No. 1 halfback in 2025, having already racked up 871 yards and five touchdowns through 12 games. And remember: Dowdle was the clear No. 2 the first four games until Hubbard suffered his calf injury.
The Panthers will have a major decision to make regarding their backfield during the offseason. They also selected Trevor Etienne in the NFL Draft last April, so they have three running backs currently on their roster who could receive ample playing time in 2026.
Carolina will either have to allow Dowdle to walk via free agency or entertain the idea of trading Hubbard, who just signed a four-year extension with the team last November.
The Panthers are slowly starting to build something, so it will be imperative for them to make the right moves come springtime.
Carolina is 6-6 on the season and will host the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday.