Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren Give Steelers Most Underrated RB Room in NFL

One of the most intriguing free agency moves of the offseason came when the Pittsburgh Steelerssigned Rico Dowdle. After Kenneth Gainwell departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, most assumed Kaleb Johnson would step into the RB2 role. Instead, Dowdle and Jaylen Warren will form the Steelers' next running back duo. Add in homecoming 2026 NFL Draft pick Eli Heidenreich, out of Navy, and the Steelers suddenly have a room that's flying under the radar. This running back group might be the deepest in the NFL.

Each Steelers running back brings a unique factor that sets him apart from the others. Head coach Mike McCarthy doesn't necessarily prioritize the ground game, he favors a drop-back West Coast offense, but he still gets production out of his backs. In 2022, as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, McCarthy nearly produced two 1,000-yard rushers. He worked closely with Dowdle in Dallas and helped him develop his game. Dowdle eventually signed a free agent contract with the Panthers, and now he joins a deep running back group in Pittsburgh.

Steelers' Dowdle and Warren Form a Lethal Running Back Duo

Warren doesn't just run the ball effectively, he's also an excellent pass-protection blocker who can create big plays in the passing game. His 65-yard catch-and-run off an Aaron Rodgers scramble drill last season stood out as a prime example, and it showcased the veteran savvy he's developed. Warren will benefit from having a strong counterpart in Dowdle, who has also shown real ability as a receiver.

Dowdle displayed those skills in Pittsburgh under McCarthy back in 2024, when he caught a down field touchdown pass to take the lead in a dramatic Sunday Night Football battle. He showed them again in 2025, when the Carolina Panthers faced his former Cowboys team: he rushed for 183 yards, added 56 receiving yards, and scored on a touchdown reception. The fact that the Steelers now have two capable backs like this speaks to the work McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan have done. They've already built a strong tight end room and retooled the receiver group, now the running back position boasts two starter-ready backs.

Steelers' Young Backs Are Developing and Carry Massive Upside

Johnson's rookie season fell short of expectations. A kick-return gaffe just two weeks into the regular season sent him to the bench, and his opportunities dwindled from there, he was even a healthy scratch at times. He'll likely find himself buried on the depth chart again, but don't discount his abilities. Johnson runs with strong lateral movement and should fit well in McCarthy's zone schemes. His work in the passing game still needs improvement, but he'll have ample time to develop. He could become a quality starter one day, just as the Steelers hoped when they drafted him.

Heidenreich has quickly become an easy player to root for. His Pittsburgh roots, his service at the Naval Academy, and his homecoming to the Steelers make him an instant fan favorite, but he's more than a feel-good story. He proved himself a versatile offensive weapon at Navy, nearly rushing for 500 yards while adding 941 receiving yards in his final season. A standout combine performance put him on the map as a surprise draft sleeper. Heidenreich ended up coming home to Pittsburgh, but he could turn out to be a serious diamond in the rough, his skill set makes him an exciting player to develop.

These young backs won't face pressure to produce immediately, but they'll be expected to step up when called upon. Having two capable backups not only gives Johnson and Heidenreich room to develop, it also helps extend the careers of Dowdle and Warren, since running backs take a brutal beating in the NFL. The Steelers may well have a deep farm system on their hands.