Steelers Quickly Replace RB Kenneth Gainwell With Rico Dowdle

Pittsburgh also acquires WR Michael Pittman Jr. in trade with Colts

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are wasting no time remaking their roster after hiring new head coach Mike McCarthy. The team is trading for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signing former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle to replace the departing Kenneth Gainwell, who plans to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Why it matters

The Steelers are looking to quickly rebuild their offense around new coach Mike McCarthy after a disappointing 2025 season. Acquiring a talented young receiver like Pittman and signing a productive running back in Dowdle are key moves to surround their next starting quarterback, whether that ends up being Aaron Rodgers or someone else.

The details

The Steelers are trading late-round draft picks to the Colts in exchange for Pittman Jr., who is coming off a 1,000-yard receiving season. To replace the departing Gainwell, the team will sign Dowdle to a two-year, $14 million deal. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Cowboys and Panthers. He will join Jaylen Warren in the Steelers' backfield.

  • The legal tampering period began on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • The new NFL league year and free agency officially open on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 at 4 p.m. EST.

The players

Michael Pittman Jr.

A wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts who is being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rico Dowdle

A running back who is signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers after back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Cowboys and Panthers.

Kenneth Gainwell

A running back who plans to sign a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a career year with the Steelers in 2025.

Jaylen Warren

A running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers who led the team with 211 carries for 958 yards and six touchdowns last season.

DK Metcalf

A wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers who led the team with 850 yards and six touchdowns on 59 catches last season.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers are wasting no time remaking their roster after hiring Mike McCarthy. Acquiring Pittman and signing Dowdle are key moves to surround their next starting QB.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Insider (ESPN)

“Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and will join Jaylen Warren in the Steelers' backfield.”

— Jordan Schultz, NFL Insider (NFL Network)

What’s next

The Steelers will look to finalize their roster moves and determine their starting quarterback for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Steelers are quickly rebuilding their offense around new coach Mike McCarthy, making key trades and free agent signings to surround their next starting QB with talented skill position players like Pittman, Dowdle, Warren, and Metcalf.