Dowdle was ignored for most of the first half of the 2025 season, until then-starting RB Chuba Hubbard got injured and Dowdle had his chance to shine. He did exactly that, considering he became the starter and surpassed the four-figure mark at the end of the year.

On the Panthers, Dowdle racked up 236 rushes for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns. He added 297 receiving yards as well, along one receiving touchdown.

Dowdle was done wrong once again

It’s not common to see a running back put two straight 1,000-yard seasons with different teams and that both teams let him go. In 2024, Dowdle had 1,079 yards with the Cowboys, but they let him go. Now, the Panthers did the same.

Dowdle doesn’t take kindly to get cut like this and the Cowboys know this. He obliterated the Cowboys last year in his revenge game with 183 rushing yards, 56 receiving yards and one touchdown. Dowdle’s Panthers also won that game 30-27. Now, the Panthers must fear the upcoming Dowdle revenge game.

Dowdle won’t face this issue next year

The Steelers signed Dowdle for the next two seasons. Hence, he will have no issues unles he gets cut or something like that. However, if he keeps his level of play, he shouldn’t.

What happens is Dowdle will be a part of a committee with Jaylen Warren. Warren is fresh off his best year as he became the starter of the team and had 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. Dowdle will have to share snaps with him, but that has worked wonders for the Steelers in recent years.

In a recent interview on the Dan Patrick Show, Darnold reflected on his time not only with Carolina but also in the Big Apple, the team that took a chance on him and gave him his first steps in the NFL after the draft.

“I think just being able to handle it at this point of my career too, I feel like, even mentally, I handle it a little differently internally than I used to. Because I realize it is part of the journey, it is part of who I am,” Darnold said.

“… I invested a little more thought into what happened in the past—I threw this pick against this coverage back in 2019, I’m not going to do that again, no, sometimes mistakes happen. You learn from it, and you don’t want to make the same mistakes again, but sometimes throughout your career, especially if its a long career, those things are going to happen.

“But just being able to move on and learn from those experiences, but move on. And the days in New York, the days in Carolina, those were part of my journey, and they’re part of my experience and I loved every single part of it. Yeah there were some lows that (expletive), I’m not gonna lie to ya, and that’s part of it though. I learned so much from that and I’m able to move on.”

On the brink of glory

Sam Darnold enters Super Bowl LX as an MVP contender, a crowning achievement that reflects a remarkable journey of professional maturation. After the early adversity and seeing ghosts during his stints with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold underwent a transformative education, first absorbing the elite standards of the 49ers’ system as a backup and then executing at a high level with the Vikings in 2024.

Now leading the Seahawks to a 14-3 record under Klint Kubiak, Darnold has combined the lessons learned from those diverse environments to post over 4,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season.

This weekend in Santa Clara, he isn’t just seeking a ring; he is looking to finalize the most impressive redemption arc in modern NFL history by proving that his refined processing and veteran poise have finally matched his undeniable physical talent.

Among the names tied to expiring deals is Rico Dowdle, a player whose role has evolved amid shifting expectations. His situation reflects a broader crossroads for the team, where depth, flexibility and future planning are starting to collide.

As negotiations wait and evaluations continue, they face familiar NFL pressure: deciding who fits the long-term vision and who may be passing through. The answers won’t come all at once, but the groundwork is already being laid.

Carolina Panthers free agents in 2026

As the Panthers transition from their 2025 campaign into the heart of the offseason, a notable portion of the roster now heads toward free agency. Carolina will have around two dozen players with expiring contracts when the league year opens in March, leaving key decisions for management and cap planners.

At the forefront of Carolina’s impending departures is running back Rico Dowdle, fresh off a fruitful season that saw him lead the team in rushing after signing a short-term deal last year. He now enters free agency alongside a host of veterans whose futures are far from decided.

For a Panthers roster that found its stride late in the season, those names represent more than just expiring deals — they’re part of a larger roster puzzle Carolina must piece together before 2026.

One of the main factors for Dave Canales’ team reaching this far has undeniably been its offense, particularly on the ground. Rico Dowdle has been its primary contributor, though his future seems uncertain heading into what’s next.

During a recent conversation with the media in the locker room, the explosive running back focused on how his playing time decreased as the weeks went on—something that could potentially tip the scales in the upcoming free agency.

“I just want to be a guy who can get the ball,” Dowdle said. While the Panthers trust they can assemble a competitive roster to improve on last season, the running back’s comments cast doubt on his stay in Carolina.

The Young-Dowdle tandem was key for the Panthers

In a breakout 2025 campaign with the Carolina Panthers, Rico Dowdle evolved into a vital asset for Bryce Young, providing the offensive balance needed to sustain drives.

Dowdle amassed 1,076 rushing yards on 236 carries, maintaining a highly efficient 4.6 average and punching in 6 touchdowns on the ground. His explosive mid-season form, highlighted by franchise-record performances, made him a key weapon that relieved pressure on Young’s passing game.

However, his on-field appearances notably tapered off during the latter stages of the season due to tactical adjustments by the coaching staff. Head coach Dave Canales opted for a more rigid hot hand rotation with Chuba Hubbard and specialized personnel packages that prioritized situational blocking and fresh legs, which often saw Dowdle’s snap counts fluctuate despite his proven playmaking ability.

The Bears defeated the Packers in a tightly contested Wild Card matchup, earning a spot in the Divisional Round. With the loss, Green Bay was officially eliminated from the postseason, bringing its playoff run to an end.

Chicago sealed the 27–24 victory in the final quarter thanks to a clutch and decisive deep pass from quarterback Caleb Williams. The Packers had late opportunities, but the Bears’ defense held firm, leaving Green Bay just a field goal away from forcing overtime.

With the win, the Bears advanced as the No. 2 seed in the NFC and are now set to face either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round, depending on the remaining conference results.

Meanwhile, the Rams eliminated the Panthers with a 34–31 victory in the Wild Card Round. Carolina was officially knocked out of the playoffs, while Los Angeles moved on as the No. 5 seed in the NFC. Los Angeles’ next opponent will be determined by the rest of the Divisional Round outcomes, with potential matchups against the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, or San Francisco 49ers.

Rams stay alive as contenders

Los Angeles once again showed resilience, surviving despite late-game adversity against Carolina. Matthew Stafford’s leadership proved decisive as the Rams overcame mistakes and advanced, reinforcing their status as one of the most dangerous teams remaining in the NFC.

What remains to be decided in the Wild Card

The NFL Wild Card Round continues on Sunday and Monday, with matchups featuring the Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars, the San Francisco 49ers vs the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Chargers vs the New England Patriots, and the Houston Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, in the Panthers’ memory was the fresh reminder of Week 13, when they surprised the Rams, their opponent in the Wild Card Round of the postseason. They already knew the formula to defeat Matthew Stafford.

Now, as double-digit favorites, Sean McVay and his players had to prove all those expectations as Super Bowl contenders despite a second half of the schedule in which they were very inconsistent.

Are Panthers out of the 2026 NFL playoffs?

Yes. The Panthers are officially out of the playoffs after losing 34–31 to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. Bryce Young had the opportunity to tie the game on the final drive, but he was unable to complete the epic comeback.

Now, as the No. 5 seed, the Rams will be waiting for their next opponent in the Divisional Round. They have many possible options: the Seattle Seahawks, the Chicago Bears, the Philadelphia Eagles, or the San Francisco 49ers.

In this scenario, the only way they could have a home game in the Divisional Round is if the 49ers and Packers win their games in Wild Card round. That would result in Seattle vs Green Bay at Lumen Field and Rams vs San Francisco at SoFi Stadium.

This accolade could give him a very important boost to win the MVP award. That race also appears to be only between two players: Stafford and Maye. Nevertheless, being a First-Team All-Pro is a very significant edge for potential voters.

At the moment, Matthew Stafford and the Rams are trying to win a second Super Bowl in the playoffs. The quarterback had a great 2025 season with 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions.

Will Matthew Stafford retire if Rams lose to Panthers?

Matthew Stafford has shown no signs that he plans to retire, even if the Rams lose to the Panthers. Although he is 37 years old, the level he has shown allows him to play several more seasons at a high level.

Rams can win the Super Bowl

Despite entering the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, the Rams are favorites for many experts to be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl. This is ahead of other teams such as the Seahawks, Bears, or Eagles.

It took three seasons for Bryce Young to reach the playoffs. In previous years, the Panthers were reportedly open to trading him, but after a solid 2025 NFL season, those discussions appear to be off the table.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Panthers plan to exercise the fifth-year option in Bryce Young’s contract. This decision keeps him in Carolina for at least two more seasons, with the possibility of a new long-term deal depending on his performance and the team’s results in the 2026 playoffs.

Bryce Young has improved, but success is still missing

The 2025 season was a step forward for Bryce Young. The former No. 1 overall pick showed improvement across nearly every statistical category, helping the Panthers end a seven-year playoff drought.

Young finished the regular season with an 8-8 record, a 63.6% completion rate, 3,011 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Aside from the interceptions, those numbers represent career highs for him.

However, this still falls short of what Carolina expected after investing so much in the former Alabama standout. With a final QB rating of 47.7, questions remain about Young’s ceiling, which explains why the Panthers are not ready to offer a contract extension without seeing further development over the next two years.

Reaching the 2026 playoffs helps his case, but Young must deliver greater success and turn the Panthers into legitimate contenders. Otherwise, the organization may allow his rookie contract to play out and consider moving on if results don’t improve.

The NFC South may be helping Bryce Young

Many fans consider the NFC South the weakest division in the NFL. While that may have helped Bryce Young gain confidence, it also raises concerns about how he performs against stronger competition.

Carolina finished 5-6 against non-division opponents and 3-3 within the NFC South. The Panthers were not dominant either inside or outside the division, which continues to fuel doubts about Young’s overall impact and long-term potential as a franchise quarterback.

That means the Buccaneers were officially eliminated and the Panthers will have a postseason game at home as division champions. A huge break of luck, or destiny, that very few expected with that three-way tie at the top of the standings.

Now, despite being the biggest underdog in the NFL to win the Super Bowl, the Panthers will host Matthew Stafford and the Rams. It is important to remember that in Week 13, Carolina pulled off the upset by defeating Los Angeles. Anything is possible.

What happens if the Panthers lose against the Rams in the Wild Card round?

If the Panthers lose to the Rams in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs, Carolina will be officially eliminated. Then, as the No. 5 seed in the NFC, Los Angeles would advance to the Divisional Round, and their next opponent could be the Seattle Seahawks, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago Bears or the San Francisco 49ers.

What happens if the Panthers and Rams tie in 2026 playoffs?

If the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams tie, the game will go to overtime under playoff rules. In this scenario, each team will necessarily have at least one possession, unless the defense records a safety on the first drive. The game cannot end in a tie.

What happens if the Rams lose today against Panthers in Wild Card round?

If the Rams lose today to the Panthers, they will be eliminated in a huge upset, considering it is a roster with names like Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and Puka Nacua.

In case the Panthers beat the Rams, their No. 4 seed would give them many possible options for opponents in the Divisional Round. They could face the Seahawks, Bears or the Eagles, or even have another home game against the 49ers.

In Week 13, the Panthers shocked the league by defeating the Rams. Now, the teams will face off again in a win-or-go-home scenario, and McVay knows Los Angeles cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes they made in that matchup.

“They did a great job,” McVay said of the Panthers‘ win in Week 13. “They made the plays to win the game and we came up short. We had our chances but there’s a lot of learning opps. There’s a lot of learning opps even when we’ve gotten the results we wanted in those 12 wins we had. But this was a good, humbling day.

“You don’t take away anything — they earned that win, but we do have a very clear understanding of what’s going to be required for us to be at our best, to do the things that are necessary first and foremost starting with ourselves, and then geared toward the opponent and the scheme. Our players have a lot of respect for these guys. We’ll be ready to go, but we know what a great challenge it’ll be.”

The pressure is on the Rams

For their 2026 Wild Card matchup against the Panthers, the Rams are listed as 10.5-point favorites. Los Angeles is clearly the more talented team on paper, but this is not a game they can take lightly.

The Rams finished the regular season with a 12–5 record, while the Panthers went 8–9. However, Carolina will host the playoff matchup after winning their division, giving them a home-field advantage that could play a significant role in the outcome.

For many fans, it is Super Bowl or bust for the Rams, while expectations are far lower for the Panthers. That imbalance puts enormous pressure on Sean McVay’s squad, as a loss to a team with a losing record would raise serious questions about whether Los Angeles was ever truly a championship contender.

Is Matthew Stafford retiring after the 2026 NFL playoffs?

Before the 2025 NFL season, Matthew Stafford agreed to a two-year, $84 million extension with the Rams. However, his future could hinge on how far Los Angeles goes in the playoffs.

According to rumors, the 37-year-old quarterback could consider retirement depending on the postseason outcome. Stafford could either walk away from the game with another Super Bowl title—or return for one final run with the Rams in 2026.

The Panthers made their last playoff appearance in 2018. This season, they are back in the postseason as NFC South champions, but head coach Dave Canales doesn’t want the team to feel overly confident.

Ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Rams, Canales sent a clear message to Bryce Young and the rest of the roster, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and clearing their minds in order to approach this tough matchup the right way.

“It is special, and it’s important that we recognize that, we lean into it and we feed off that energy,” HC Dave Canales said. “At the same time, we’ve got to keep our head about us and execute on the most fundamental parts of it. Because if you get too excited and caught up in the moment, you can sacrifice technique, and sometimes you can go too far and that’s not what I want either.”

The Panthers are not favorites against the Rams

During the 2025 regular season, the Panthers shocked everyone by defeating the Rams. However, Los Angeles has changed significantly since then, which is why another surprise is considered unlikely.

Carolina will have home-field advantage thanks to its division title, and the Panthers will need to take full advantage of it to overcome a team many fans view as the strongest NFC contender this year.

The Panthers have not won a playoff game since 2015, when they reached Super Bowl 50 with Cam Newton leading the offense. Experience is on the Rams’ side, but Canales proved in the regular-season matchup that Carolina is capable of defying the odds.