Rico Dowdle Says Every Game Is an ‘Audition’ as Free Agency Nears

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle has registered 833 rushing yards so far and ranks fourth behind Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, and De’Von Achane.

Rico Dowdle Says Every Game Is an ‘Audition’ as Free Agency Nears

Rico Dowdle (Image via The Charlotte Post)

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After a relatively understated 2024 campaign, the former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle secured a new opportunity this offseason by signing with the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle entered this season as the backup to Chuba Hubbard despite running for more than 1000 yards in the previous season.

He was promoted to RB1 duties after he registered multiple games with more than 100 yards while Hubbard was injured mid-season. He picked up 239 yards against his former team Dallas Cowboys.

Though he has claimed a significant position through his production this season, he is poised to re-enter free agency this March. As Dowdle approaches free agency next season, the focus naturally shifts to his mindset entering this campaign.

Though the sixth-year veteran has recorded 833 yards (fourth in the league) and five touchdowns this season so far, his career trajectory remains a mystery. On Friday, he revealed that there haven’t been any discussions between him and his agent with the team regarding a potential contract extension to keep him in uptown Charlotte for another year.

Additionally, he admitted that he’s facing every game as an audition, considering his contract situation. Dowdle strives to do better every week as he believes that he’s being watched by the 31 other teams in the league as well.

Every week is an audition for me, being on a one-year contract. All 31 teams are always watching. So I wouldn’t say just this week in particular but I definitely know I’ve got to go out there and do my best.

Rico Dowdle told reporters, per David Newton

Rico Dowdle can stay in Charlotte if the Panthers play it perfectly

The Panthers’ management, as well as the fans, would love to keep a player like Dowdle to themselves. The problem is the financial and structural imbalance in their backfield. Hubbard is already locked into a four-year, $33.2 million deal, something that signifies a long-term interest in the athlete in that position.

Paying Dowdle what he has earned on the field would mean carrying two sizeable contracts at the same position, which is generally inefficient in today’s NFL. As ESPN’s David Newton notes, keeping Dowdle will require creativity. They will need to restructure Hubbard’s contract, design an unusual deal for Dowdle, or shift money to later seasons to avoid a short-term cap crunch.

Even with those options, retaining Dowdle is still an uphill battle. He’ll hit the open market as a proven lead back, with opportunities elsewhere likely to pay more than Carolina can comfortably match while Hubbard’s contract sits on the books.

The Carolina Panthers are in an unbelievable upward climb

The Carolina Panthers are playing at their best level after many years. With 11 games so far, the Panthers have notched up six wins and already improved from their last season’s record of 5-12. Their sixth win was against the Atlanta Falcons when the Panthers’ QB Bryce Young smashed the franchise record for most passing yards in a come-from-behind game.

Rico Dowdle
Rico Dowdle (Image via Getty Images)

In Week 7, when they defeated the New York Jets, the Panthers rose to 4-3, the first time they recorded a winning percentage (i.e., above .500) for the first time since 2021. The 6-5 record they currently hold is also their best start since 2018. In 2018, they won six of their first eight games and then had a seven-week losing streak. They eventually didn’t make the playoffs.

The Panthers are currently just behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) in the NFC South. As they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers this week, the Panthers are gearing towards a reality where they end their eight-year playoff absence and ten-year division title drought. The last time the Panthers won the NFC South, they went on to play the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

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