Steelers Replace Kenneth Gainwell with Rico Dowdle

Gainwell signs with Buccaneers, Dowdle reunites with former coach McCarthy in Pittsburgh

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving on from running back Kenneth Gainwell, replacing him with Rico Dowdle on a two-year, $12.5 million deal. Gainwell, the team's MVP last season, signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. Dowdle, who previously played under Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy with the Dallas Cowboys, is excited to reunite with his former coach in Pittsburgh.

Why it matters

The Steelers' decision to part ways with Gainwell and sign Dowdle signals a shift in their running back strategy. Gainwell had a breakout season in 2025, but the team felt it was time to move in a different direction. Dowdle's signing reunites him with McCarthy, who he credits for giving him his first NFL opportunity, and the Steelers are hoping he can provide a similar level of production to what Gainwell delivered.

The details

Gainwell, 27, signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Buccaneers in free agency. He said he was happy with the opportunity to return to the South, where he is from, and felt it was a great fit. Dowdle, 26, signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Steelers. He previously played under Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy with the Cowboys for five seasons and cited that relationship as a major factor in his decision to join Pittsburgh.

  • Gainwell finished the 2025 season with 1,023 all-purpose yards, second on the team in rushing and receptions.
  • Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy as his head coach.

The players

Kenneth Gainwell

A 27-year-old running back who was the Pittsburgh Steelers' MVP in 2025 before signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.

Rico Dowdle

A 26-year-old running back who previously played under Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy with the Dallas Cowboys for five seasons. He signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Steelers.

Mike McCarthy

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who previously coached Rico Dowdle with the Dallas Cowboys.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was a great option for me. I wanted to be here last year, but you know, I am just happy to be here now. It was a great opportunity for me back in the South where I am from and just come here.”

— Kenneth Gainwell

“When I came out of (the University of) South Carolina, Coach McCarthy and the Cowboys gave me my first opportunity in the NFL. I built that relationship with him. I was there with him in Dallas for, what, five years? So, yeah, just been building that relationship with him and it definitely played a major role into my decision to come here to Pittsburgh.”

— Rico Dowdle

What’s next

The Steelers will look to Dowdle and Jaylen Warren to lead their backfield in 2026, with Kaleb Johnson as the third-string running back.

The takeaway

The Steelers' decision to move on from Gainwell and sign Dowdle signals a shift in their running back strategy, as they look to build a new backfield around a player with a strong relationship with their head coach. The move also highlights the fluid nature of the NFL, where even a team's MVP can be replaced in the span of a single offseason.