Panthers' Dowdle: Drop in carries to affect free agency call - ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle said Sunday that his decreased carries late in the season will impact his decision on whether to return to the reigning NFC South champions.

Dowdle signed a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million in March after topping 1,000 yards rushing in 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys. He had 1,076 rushing yards this season, but only 9 on five carries in Saturday's 34-31 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

He averaged only 8.25 carries in his last four games after averaging 20 in the previous seven, topped by 30 in an Oct. 12 win against the Cowboys when Chuba Hubbard was injured.

When asked Sunday whether the decrease in reps impacted his free agency plans, Dowdle noted that his game gets better the more carries he gets.

«That definitely is a factor,'' he said. „There's options for me. I just want to be a guy who can go out there and just get the bulk [of the carries].''

Getting the bulk of the carries doesn't appear likely at Carolina (8-10) with Hubbard signed through the 2028 season after getting a four-year, $33.2 million extension in November 2024 and Jonathon Brooks, a 2024 second-round pick, set to return from ACL surgery in 2026.

The Panthers also have 2025 fourth-round pick Trevor Etienne.

Coach Dave Canales was noncommittal when asked about Dowdle, one of 19 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

“These are all things we're going to have to talk about over the next couple of days,'' he said. „We have to evaluate all the guys that our contracts are up [with] and see what our next, best move is.''

Asked if he wanted to return to the Panthers, who play about two hours south of where he grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, Dowdle said, “I don't