In a surprising twist that could delight Dallas Cowboys fans, former running back Rico Dowdle has expressed strong interest in returning to the team that kickstarted his NFL career. The 27-year-old, who bolted to the Carolina Panthers last offseason on a one-year deal, is set to hit free agency again and isn’t ruling out a homecoming to Big D.

“Oh yeah, for sure. I would never take the option off the table,” Dowdle told DLLS Cowboys this week from the Pro Bowl. “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.”

Dowdle’s comments come at a pivotal time for the Cowboys, who are navigating their running back situation amid another offseason of potential changes. Last year, Dallas let Dowdle walk after his breakout 2024 season, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a Cowboy. Instead, they signed Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract (which grew to over $4 million with incentives), and the move paid off handsomely. Williams exploded for 1,201 yards on 252 carries in 16 games, adding 11 touchdowns and establishing himself as a workhorse.

 

In a surprising twist that could delight Dallas Cowboys fans, former running back Rico Dowdle has expressed strong interest in returning to the team that kickstarted his NFL career. The 27-year-old, who bolted to the Carolina Panthers last offseason on a one-year deal, is set to hit free agency again and isn’t ruling out a homecoming to Big D.

 

 

“Oh yeah, for sure. I would never take the option off the table,” Dowdle told DLLS Cowboys this week from the Pro Bowl. “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.”

Dowdle’s comments come at a pivotal time for the Cowboys, who are navigating their running back situation amid another offseason of potential changes. Last year, Dallas let Dowdle walk after his breakout 2024 season, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a Cowboy. Instead, they signed Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract (which grew to over $4 million with incentives), and the move paid off handsomely. Williams exploded for 1,201 yards on 252 carries in 16 games, adding 11 touchdowns and establishing himself as a workhorse.