The Dallas Cowboys could be facing a shake-up in their backfield this offseason, with Javonte Williams potentially heading to free agency. But if Williams departs, there’s a familiar name that could slide right back into the mix-and he’s coming off the best season of his career.
Rico Dowdle, who spent the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers, is now on the Cowboys’ radar for a possible reunion. And based on both his production and his own words, the interest seems mutual.
Dowdle didn’t just have a solid year in Carolina-he broke out. He played all 17 games, racked up 236 carries, and found the end zone six times.
He came within just three yards of matching his career-best rushing total of 1,076 yards. That kind of durability and consistency is exactly what teams look for in a featured back, and it’s no surprise Dallas is keeping tabs.
What makes Dowdle even more intriguing for the Cowboys is how well his style meshes with what offensive coordinator Klayton Adams is building in Dallas. Adams, in his first year at the helm of the Cowboys’ offense, brought a power-run identity that leaned heavily on pull blocks, counters, and lead concepts.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dowdle thrived in those exact schemes last season-averaging 6.5 yards per carry and recording nine runs of 10-plus yards on those plays. That placed him among the top five backs in the league in those categories.
That’s not just a good fit-that’s a tailor-made skillset for what Adams wants to do on the ground. The Cowboys ran the fourth-most plays using power, counter, and pull-lead concepts in 2025, and plugging Dowdle into that system again could be a seamless transition.
Dowdle, for his part, isn’t closing any doors. When asked about a potential return to Dallas, he didn’t hesitate.
“Oh yeah, for sure. I would never take the option off the table,” Dowdle said.
“I definitely would consider coming back to Dallas. Truly thankful for them.
Like I said, they blessed me and gave me the opportunity, the starting point to be where I am today. So, definitely would be open.”
That kind of appreciation for the organization-paired with his proven fit in the offensive scheme-makes this more than just a feel-good story. It’s a legitimate roster move that could help stabilize the Cowboys’ offense if Williams moves on.
Speaking of Williams, he led the Cowboys last season in every major rushing category: 252 carries, 1,201 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He was a workhorse and a key component of the offense alongside wide receiver George Pickens-another player whose future in Dallas is uncertain as free agency looms.
The Cowboys have reportedly explored other options, including a high-profile back with 42 touchdowns to his name. But Dowdle might be the most logical and low-risk move. He knows the building, he fits the scheme, and he’s coming off a year that proved he can handle a full workload.
If Dallas is looking for continuity and a seamless transition in the backfield, bringing back Rico Dowdle could be a smart, under-the-radar move that pays big dividends.