The Cowboys took some flak last offseason when they allowed, for the second straight year, a 1,000-yard rusher to traipse off into free agency and sign with another team. It was Tony Pollard two years ago and, last winter, it was Rico Dowdle, a homegrown Cowboys talent who bolted to Carolina following a breakout year.
But letting Dowdle walk actually worked out nicely for the Cowboys, because they brought in one of their best-ever free-agent additions, running back Javonte Williams, who rushed for 1,201 yards this season on 252 carries in 16 games, taking the reins as a true workhorse back. Williams ranked ninth in the NFL in yardage, 10th in carries and eighth with 11 touchdowns.
Williams, though, is a free agent this offseason after playing last year on a $3 million contract that ballooned to more than $4 million with incentives. It just so happens, though, that Dowdle is also a free agent, having signed with the Panthers on a one-year deal that also ballooned to $3.75 million with incentives. And, it turns out, if the Cowboys show interest in bringing back Dowdle, he’s ready to return.
Cowboys Let Rico Dowdle Walk to Panthers
That’s what Dowdle told DLLS Cowboys this week from the Pro Bowl. After a year in which he ran for 1,076 yards and totaled 1,373 from scrimmage, Dowdle is hoping for a long-term payday, which are tough to come by these days for running backs. Spotrac projects him to be worth $13 million over two years.
If that comes from the Cowboys, Dowdle has no issue.
“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.”
GettyDallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams.
Rico Dowdle Warned: ‘They Got to Buckle Up’
Dowdle was a great find for the Cowboys back in 2020, when he signed on as an undrafted free agent from South Carolina. He did not play in 2021 or 2022, missing time with injuries to his hip and ankle, before being bumped to the active roster for good in 2023. He had his breakout showing in 2024, and moved on thereafter.
Last year, when the Cowboys traveled to Carolina in Week 13, Dowdle warned his ex-teammates before the game. “They got to buckle up,” Dowdle said, via ESPN. “I think they know for sure. They didn’t keep me there for five years for no reason.”
Indeed, Dowdle put 183 yards rushing, 56 yards receiving and one touchdown on the Cowboys in a 30-27 win.
Cowboys Talking With Javonte Williams
Still, it appears that the Cowboys’ preference at this stage will be bringing back Williams in free agency, as team VP Stephen Jones has said that the team has already had preliminary discussions with Williams’ agent about a new deal.
Williams, according to Spotrac, has a market value of $22 million over three years. That would be a lot for a Cowboys team that has scrimped on running backs in recent years. But owner Jerry Jones has said he is willing to spend this winter–even “bust the budget.”
“You would expect me to take the improvement last year on available assets to have personnel … you would expect me to use every bit of anything that I gave up to get it. What I mean, [when I say] above and beyond the budget, it would be taken a little bit, if given the opportunity,” Jones said.
Ex-Cowboys $13 Million Star Says He’s ‘Open’ to Free-Agent Return