Brian Schottenheimer Responds to Rico Dowdle’s "Buckle Up" Warning
The Dallas Cowboys will face a familiar foe in Week 6 when they travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers and former running back Rico Dowdle. While there is no open bad blood between the two parties, Dowdle made sure to send a warning to his former team ahead of their first meeting since his departure.
“They got to buckle up,” Dowdle said. “I think they know, for sure. I had been there for five years. They didn’t keep me there for five years for no reason. Looking forward to playing those guys this week. We’ll get to it and handle that when we get there.”
The message received a chuckle from Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who, unprompted, took the time to respond to Dowdle’s comments during Monday’s press conference.
“It’ll be good to see Rico this weekend,” Brian Schottenheimer said. “I know we’re going to have to buckle up, he said. So we’ll bring our seat belts, Rico. Buckle up.”
The Cowboys made the tough decision to let Dowdle walk during the offseason as they ushered in a new coaching staff, including Schottenheimer.
After leaving the Cowboys, Dowdle is enjoying more playing time as part of a running back rotation with his new club. In five games with the Panthers, the former South Carolina product has rushed for 286 yards on 51 attempts while accumulating nine receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns.
In the absence of starting running back Chubba Hubbard, Dowdle has taken over the lead back role in recent weeks, rushing for 206 yards and a touchdown vs. the Miami Dolphins in a Week 5 win.
Schottenheimer is hoping to get the last laugh on Dowdle this Sunday and advance the Cowboys to a 3-2-1 record in his first season as head coach. Meanwhile, Dowdle will look to take advantage of the Cowboys’ 32nd-ranked run defense and continue his recent track of success.
Broncos' forgotten RB could be a perfect trade candidate in the coming weeks
After two strong seasons for Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos, current constantly gameday inactive running back, Jaleel McLaughlin, could find himself playing elsewhere soon.
Prior to the season beginning, many had Jaleel McLaughlin making the 53-man roster, which he did. But since then, McLaughlin has found himself on the outside looking in. There was some speculation if this was due to McLaughlin welcoming in his first child, but there seems to be more to the story.
Just prior to the team's final preseason game, his wife was in labor. Five weeks later, one would think that he would be back involved in the Broncos' game day activities, if he was part of the team's plan. That has yet to transpire.
During his two seasons in Denver, McLaughlin has rushed for over 900 yards and added another 236 yards receiving. Over the course of the season in 2024, McLaughlin seemed like Sean Payton's most trusted running back. Was that just a circumstantial feeling or does Payton believe McLaughlin is truly a starting running back?
Could Jaleel McLaughlin be on the move?
Jaleel was one of the few sparks early on in the season in 2024. His individual effort on a red zone touchdown run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers displayed his capabilities and showcased his speed. His quickness and burst in tight spaces make him a great option for teams who run a zone scheme offense where McLaughlin could make one cut and go.
Even if Payton does believe in McLaughlin, just about every player in the National Football League has a price and could be had if that price is met. With the trio of Tyler Badie, J.K. Dobbins, and R.J. Harvey looking like Sean's trio, this certainly makes Jaleel McLaughlin expendable.
As teams continue to fight through running back injuries, like the Arizona Cardinals, or maybe even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McLaughlin may become a hot commodity like former Broncos' receiver, Devaughn Vele, a player on a rookie contract/
If George Paton and Sean Payton do end up receiving calls on the former starting running back, it would be wise for they not to just jump at the first offer. Through the trials and tribulations of a physical 17-game season, players can get banged up, especially ones who run the football.
Compensation should be no less than a starting caliber linebacker, tight end or at least a 6th round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Don't expect the Broncos to yield the same amount of compensation as they received for trading Vele, but trading a reliable running back should not be done without reward.
Considering the prior health of the Broncos' running back room, it gives the Broncos even more reason to hold on to the speedster, but if an unrefusable offer comes to fruition for the Broncos, what will Paton and Payton ultimately decide to do?
