Panthers should repeat running back approach in free agency to find next Dowdle
The Panthers made the most of their one-year pact with running back Rico Dowdle in 2025. In 2026, with questions still facing the running back room, Carolina should repeat its bargain-hunting strategy at the position.
Dowdle, who will become a free agent again in March, seems likely to head elsewhere for a larger role and — in theory — a long-term contract. And if Dowdle were to leave town, the Panthers would need to figure out a group headlined by Chuba Hubbard, Trevor Etienne and Jonathon Brooks.
Hubbard is coming off a setback season. One year removed from signing a lucrative contract extension, Hubbard dealt with a nagging calf injury that sidelined him for part of the 2025 season. He was eventually succeeded in the starting lineup by Dowdle, who produced 1,076 rushing yards, 297 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns on the year. Hubbard went from producing 1,366 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024 to picking up 734 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in 2025. Still, Hubbard, as of now, appears to be in the driver’s seat to lead the room if Dowdle heads elsewhere.
Etienne, entering his second season, has just 20 carries for 94 yards on his NFL resume. Last year’s primary punt and kick returner rarely got involved in the offense, despite the front office and coaching staff both pushing for him in the fourth round of the draft. He is still unproven as an offensive playmaker, despite the organization’s high hopes for his future.
Brooks, who probably has the highest upside of the bunch, is coming off a lost season. He tore the ACL in his right knee — for the second time in 13 months — during his rookie season after just three games. While the organization has been encouraged by his recovery behind the scenes, the 2024 second-round pick — like Etienne — remains unproven. And given his notable injury history, the Panthers would probably be best served adding some insurance to the room, beyond Hubbard and Etienne, in case Brooks is unable to stay in the lineup.
That insurance shouldn’t be hard to find. Last season, the Panthers signed Dowdle to a one-year “prove it” deal worth $2.7 million. The deal included $3.5 million in incentives, which benefited Dowdle when he had a breakout campaign with Hubbard sidelined and slumping. Dowdle’s arrangement and subsequent performance should boost his stock this year in free agency. That outlook is also a proof-in-product example of the opportunity that could be created with a similar pact this offseason.
The running back market in free agency is packed — with Dowdle, Breece Hall of the New York Jets, Travis Etienne (Trevor’s older brother) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kenneth Walker of the Seattle Seahawks, Javonte Williams of the Dallas Cowboys and Kenny Gainwell of the Pittsburgh Steelers leading the charge. Beyond those headliners, the rest of the market should be looking for short-term deals with incentive upside and opportunity.
The Panthers have shown a desire to create competition in every room. The benching of Hubbard for Dowdle also shows they are willing to reward the hot hand in the backfield. While head coach Dave Canales has typically favored a two-back rotation, the play caller hasn’t shied away from mixing things up if needed. A potential free agent could see Etienne and Brooks as two young, unproven backs that he could beat out during training camp. It’s also not like Hubbard is coming into the situation with a full grasp on the backfield, either.
So, if Dowdle ships off — which appears to be the logical outcome — Carolina should appeal to the second-tier running back market as a place of opportunity and financial upside. That situation could be just what a young running back, coming off a rookie contract, is looking for in his mid-20s.
Here are four potential options to repeat the Dowdle approach:
Isiah Pacheco
2025 season: 118 carries for 462 rushing yards and one rushing TD; 19 catches for 101 receiving yards and one receiving TD.
The two-time Super Bowl-winning running back has been a solid rotational ball carrier for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past four seasons. He has plenty of starting experience, but he’s primarily shared the backfield with a north-to-south runner like Hubbard. Pacheco is a natural role player, and his ability to be used as a runner and a pass catcher should appeal to the Panthers. He obviously has a background with EVP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis.
Jerome Ford
2025 season: 24 carries for 73 rushing yards; 26 catches for 103 receiving yards
Like Pacheco, Ford has been used in multiple roles during his four-year career with the Cleveland Browns. But he fell out of favor in Cleveland last season and was reduced to a minimal role in 2025. If ever someone needed a change of scenery and a “prove it” deal, Ford would be at the top of the list. Unlike Dowdle last year, Ford would likely come in on a minimal contract and be asked to earn a job in training camp. That’d a low-risk, high-reward outlook for Carolina.
Brian Robinson Jr.
2025 season: 90 carries for 400 rushing yards and two rushing TDs; eight catches for 25 receiving yards.
Robinson was traded from Washington to San Francisco last season during the final year of his rookie deal. The former starting running back was asked to serve as the primary backup to Pro Bowl playmaker Christian McCaffrey. Despite a lack of touches, Robinson had a relatively successful season for a backup running back. Robinson could look to compete for a shared backfield role somewhere, and the Panthers could offer him the opportunity to battle with Hubbard, Etienne and Brooks.
Rachaad White
2025 season: 132 carries for 572 rushing yards and four rushing TDs; 40 catches for 218 receiving yards.
White played under Canales in Tampa Bay during the 2022 season. While he averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry during that campaign, he produced a career-high 990 rushing yards and six touchdowns with Canales calling plays. Given his understanding of the offense, White could be on a more even playing field with the incumbent group than another option. White is best served as a rotational back, so he likely wouldn’t hurt the chemistry in the backfield upon arrival. He scored 25 total touchdowns (14 rushing, 11 receiving) during his four-year stint with the Buccaneers.
