The Dallas Cowboys have a running back problem right now. Miles Sanders is aging and coming off a season-ending injury, Javonte Williams may have played his way out of the team's price range, and Jaydon Blue's rookie season was a disappointment.
That's why hearing Rico Dowdle talk about a potential reunion in Arlington raised so many eyebrows around Cowboys Nation. That's especially true, considering it seemed like he was a little salty about the way things ended for him in Dallas when the two met during the regular season:
"I would never take that option off the table," Dowdle told ALLCITY Network, per DLLS Cowboys. "I would definitely consider going back to Dallas. I'm really grateful to them and, like I said, they blessed me and gave me the opportunity, the starting point, to be where I am today."
Rico Dowdle's Return May Come With Other Issues
Of course, bringing Rico Dowdle back would make perfect sense, especially if he doesn't ask for top dollar. That being said, it would also have a bit of a ripple effect throughout the running backs' room.
For starters, it would most likely rule out taking another running back in the NFL Draft. It would also mean that the Cowboys have given up in their pursuit of keeping Javonte Williams in town after his breakout year. Last but not least, it would also take a big toll on Jaydon Blue's development.
Granted, Blue's disappointing rookie season had more to do with his discipline and work ethic -- or lack thereof -- than with his actual talent. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer called him out multiple times, and all the DNP-CDs clearly weren't health-related. Even so, he's still a promising youngster, and the Cowboys should give him another chance to earn his touches in 2026.
Dowdle is coming off the best season of his career. He made 17 appearances (11 starts) for the Carolina Panthers, turning 236 touches into 1,076 rushing yards and a career-high six rushing touchdowns. That's despite sharing the backfield with Chuba Hubbard.
The former South Carolina Gamecocks standout also torched the Cowboys for 183 rushing yards on 30 carries, to go along with four receptions on five targets for 56 receiving yards and one touchdown. If that was his audition to return, he clearly aced it.
Dowdle is familiar with the organization and with Schottenheimer's offense. Then again, the team has to be sure that last season wasn't a fluke, and it's rarely a wise move to pay more for the same player you let go.