Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Running back Rico Dowdle and the Pittsburgh Steelers agree on a 2-year deal, AP source says

Running back Rico Dowdle and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed on a $12.25 million, two-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on Wednesday.

Dowdle ran for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns last year in Carolina after surpassing 1,000 yards in Dallas in 2024. He’ll help replace Kenneth Gainwell, who agreed on a deal with Tampa Bay.

Pittsburgh opened the free agency period Monday by upgrading their wide receiver group, acquiring veteran Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis for a late-round pick in this year’s draft.

A person with knowledge of the deal told the AP the Colts are sending Pittman to Pittsburgh. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official.

Pittman has 485 receptions for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons, including 80 catches for 784 yards and seven scores in 2025.

____

AP Sports Writer Will Graves contributed to this report.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press


The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.