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Rico Dowdle Says Panthers Haven't Opened Extension Talks as Breakout Puts Contract Crunch in Focus

Carolina must weigh Chuba Hubbard's four-year, $33.2 million deal against options to craft a cap-friendly path to keep its new lead back.

Overview

  • Dowdle confirmed to reporters that neither he nor his agent has been contacted about a new contract.
  • The 27-year-old is on a one-year deal with performance incentives and is set to reach free agency in 2026.
  • After early-season 200-yard outings and a Week 9 promotion, he has become Carolina's RB1 and ranks among the league's rushing leaders.
  • Contract figures cited by team beat reporting and Spotrac indicate he has already earned $1.25 million in incentives and can unlock additional bonuses with further yardage and touchdown benchmarks.
  • Analysts say Hubbard's $33.2 million pact complicates a new deal, pointing to potential restructuring or an incentive-heavy, short-term arrangement to retain Dowdle, with outside interest likely if he hits the market.