This is one of those truths people don’t always want to hear: a move can be a success and still be temporary.
That’s the story of Rico Dowdle with the Carolina Panthers.
When GM Dan Morgan brought Dowdle in, the vision was simple — and smart. Pair a 1,000-yard rusher with another 1,000-yard rusher. Depth. Insurance. Competition. And for a stretch of the season, that plan didn’t just work… it thrived.
There was a chunk of the year where Dowdle wasn’t just a backup to Chuba Hubbard — he was RB1. He hit holes decisively, ran with edge, and looked like one of the most productive backs in the league for a few weeks. The high point? Lambeau Field. 130 yards, two touchdowns, and a road win that felt like a statement. That was Dowdle at his peak — downhill, confident, and punishing defenses.
But the NFL adjusts. Defenses started loading the box. The explosive lanes got tighter. His carry count dipped as the season wore on, and the production cooled. Not because he failed — but because roles shifted and the offense evolved.
And here’s the bigger picture: Carolina already made its financial commitment to Hubbard. That’s their guy. Then there’s Jonathan Brooks, the young talent they still need to evaluate once he’s fully back from injury next season. There are only so many touches to go around, and only so much cap space.
And don’t forget — Jonathan Brooks isn’t just some mystery box the Panthers are hoping works out. Coming out of Texas, despite being hurt during the draft process, he was regarded as one of the best backs in the 2024 draft.
Dowdle absolutely earned a payday this year — the one he never truly got from Jerry Jones in Dallas. He proved he can handle a workload, step into RB1 duties, and deliver in big moments.
In the media sessions he did following the Rams Wild Card loss he expressed a desire to go somewhere he can get paid and be the guy,
But that paycheck? It’s probably coming from somewhere else.
And that doesn’t make this stint a failure. It makes it exactly what it was supposed to be — a smart, productive, professional chapter that helped stabilize a backfield and buy time for the future.