The Carolina Panthers got what they needed and more from running back Rico Dowdle during his one season with the franchise. It's starting to look like he'll leave in free agency, and he's thoroughly deserving of the money coming his way.
If Dowdle's stint in Carolina turns out to be fleeting, this was a mutually beneficial relationship.
The Panthers needed another dependable veteran to compensate for the absence of 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks. Dowdle got the chance to log meaningful reps and prove his 1,000-yard rushing season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 wasn't just a flash in the pan.