Dallas Cowboys sign running back Rico Dowdle to new contract

The Dallas Cowboys have made a decision on the future of backup running back Rico Dowdle for the 2024 season. Dowdle has inked a new deal that will keep him with the team, according to his agency. The contract is a one-year deal worth $1.255 million, including $200,000 in a signing bonus, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Dowdle, originally an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, has four years in the league under his belt. The 2023 was his most productive as he took on the supporting role behind Tony Pollard for the first time.

In 16 regular season games, the former Gamecocks star had 89 carries for 361 yards with two touchdowns. He gained 17 first downs and added six more by catching passes from Dak Prescott. He ended the year with 17 receptions for 177 yards and two more touchdowns. Dowdle played sparingly in the team’s postseason game against the Green Bay Packers. He had just two carries for 11 yards in the loss.

The 6-foot-0, 215-pound running back didn’t post stats for the Cowboys during the 2022 season but he appeared in five games. Prior to 2022, he had a knee scope that kept him out of OTAs.

During the 2021 season, the Cowboys had to place Dowdle on injured reserve. He suffered a hip fracture in the preseason.

In 2020, his rookie season, Dowdle had seven rush attempts for 24 yards. Out of South Carolina, he signed a three-year contract for $2.3 million, including $110,000 guaranteed.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.

Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing, as well as multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ free agents includes Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, Dante Fowler Jr., Chuma Edoga, and Noah Igbinoghene.