Donnie Football

And perhaps most importantly, he has a direct connection to Mike McCarthy.

He played for him in Dallas from 2020 to 2024.

Dowdle is also coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

One in Dallas, one in Carolina.

1,373 yards from scrimmage this past season.

Nearly 1,100 on the ground.

That was a big reason behind the Panthers coming up from the ashes to win the NFC South and make the playoffs.

He also went into the last two seasons...

thinking that he would be part of a committee in the backfield, but he took the baton both times in a big way.

In 2024, when Zeke Elliott proved his tank was empty and Deuce Vaughn couldn't carry the load as a young running back in Dallas, Dowdle was relied upon in that Cowboys offense that only got eight games out of Dak Prescott.

He was their best player besides CeeDee Lamb in 2024.

And then in 25, Chuba Hubbard coming off his best season in the pros.

The Panthers drafting Trevor Etienne.

Dowdle took over the backfield by mid-October.

after monster performances in Week 5 against Miami, where he ran 23 times for 206 yards and a touchdown, and then a revenge game against Dallas one week later.

30 carries, a buck 83, he caught four passes for 56 yards, and he had a receiving touchdown.

Quite a little run there in Week 5 and 6.

had 130 yards and two scores against the Packers later on in the season, another Panthers win.

And hypothetically here, he wouldn't be the guy that has to be the man in Pittsburgh.

He wasn't really asked to do that, though, his final season with the Cowboys or his lone season with the Panthers either.