Pittsburgh Steelers sign Rico Dowdle

The Steelers' two-year, $12.3M deal with Rico Dowdle earns a C CVI, representing a fair market transaction for a proven but unremarkable backfield addition. At $6.1M annually, Pittsburgh paid appropriate value for a running back coming off his first 1,000-yard season in Dallas, though Dowdle's late-career breakout at age 27 raises questions about sustainability beyond this contract window. The structure provides reasonable flexibility with just $5.0M guaranteed across two years, allowing the Steelers to pivot after 2025 if Dowdle's production regresses to his pre-2024 levels as a middling contributor. While the deal doesn't represent the bargain-hunting approach that typically defines successful backfield investments, it addresses an immediate need without creating long-term cap complications. For Dowdle, securing his first meaningful payday after six NFL seasons represents solid value, even if the C CVI reflects concerns about whether his career year was an outlier rather than evidence of a player hitting his stride.