What to do about the Rico situation

[SCO96]

17 hours ago, Donald LaFell said:

We feel desperate to keep Rico because the offense is hamstrung by all the things Bryce can’t do. Once we get a better QB you can cycle though RBs a lot easier. Right now our offense is operating like it’s 1970

"Better QBs" just don't grow on trees. We had the top pick in the draft in 2023...and totally blew it. As one poster pointed out, if Carolina plans on keeping BY as starter for 2026, they need to keep Dowdle.

I don't think we'd have a win this season if Dowdle isn't on this team. We are literally a different team when things are clicking for him. Depending on the situation, you cannot assume that all running backs are the same. They are not all  replaceable and expendable parts in a machine.

[pantherclaw]

Those who know me well enough,  know I love the run game.  

Chubba was never an elite talent.  Although he has HOF effort and leadership.   That's what got him paid when this team didn't have a better answer on the roster. 

I doubt the team has given up on Brooks. 

I love Rico's running style. Fast, elusive,  great vision, balance, and a tough SOB. 

His running style will never lead to a long career in the NFL. 

I do feel the Panthers should absolutely try to extend him.  No more than 2 or 3 seasons, and nothing that breaks the bank. 

If he doesn't sign, ya move on and find another RB. 

 

Edited November 3, 2025 by pantherclaw

[X-Clown]

1 minute ago, mav1234 said:

He's currently 7th in the NFL in yards from scrimmage despite starting 6 less games than anyone else near the top of the list.

If it's so easy to find that production why are the other names up there McCaffrey, Achane, Cooke, Taylor?

I don't think we should break the bank for him but I'd be fine with a Chuba level contract now, and he may command a lot more if he finishes the year like this 

See it for what it is, a guy that’s had 3 fantastic games. We don’t have a need to rush to resign him to a big deal now based on that, especially when there are more pressing issues in our roster. He’s already getting banged up on top of that and will be 28 at the start of the next season.
 

As far as the other guys at the top, Mccaffrey is the only one of those guys drafted in the first. Taylor is the only other one in the list that I’d say the offense is built around on a good team. But the bills are still a playoff team without cook, and achane while a good player is someone who gets volume touches on a bad team. 

 

[SCO96]

11 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

Those who know me well enough,  know I love the run game.  

Chubba was never an elite talent.  Although he has HOF effort and leadership.   That's what got him paid when this team didn't have a better answer on the roster. 

I doubt the team has given up on Brooks. 

I love Rico's running style. Fast, elusive,  great vision, balance, and a tough SOB. 

His running style will never lead to a long career in the NFL. 

I do feel the Panthers should absolutely try to extend him.  No more than 2 or 3 seasons, and nothing that breaks the bank. 

If he doesn't sign, ya move on and find another RB. 

 

Just want to let you know that I really like this post.

Chubba is really a complementary piece on a good team but you really can't build your offense around him. That said, if we didn't have Dowdle on the roster, and had a stud at QB, he'd be a nice back to have.

Until your post, I'd totally forgotten about Brooks being on the team. It would be a great story is he could bounce back, but at the end of the season he'd be halfway through his 4 year rookie deal. I don't hold out much hope for him but I could be wrong.

A 3 year contract sounds perfect if he's extended if the cost is reasonable. He'd be 30 when it ended. If he were some how playing at an All-Pro level you could always extend it for an extra year.

As you pointed out, if he wants to a change of scenery, you should be able to move on with another RB (via draft, FA, or return to a RB already on the roster...Chubba or Brooks if healthy).

[electro's horse]

22 minutes ago, X-Clown said:

As far as the other guys at the top, Mccaffrey is the only one of those guys drafted in the first. Taylor is the only other one in the list that I’d say the offense is built around on a good team. But the bills are still a playoff team without cook, and achane while a good player is someone who gets volume touches on a bad team. 

 

Going by production like this is misleading. 

like watch Bijan Robinson and tell me he’s not the best player on the field every week. 

[Donald LaFell]

29 minutes ago, SCO96 said:

"Better QBs" just don't grow on trees. We had the top pick in the draft in 2023...and totally blew it. As one poster pointed out, if Carolina plans on keeping BY as starter for 2026, they need to keep Dowdle.

I don't think we'd have a win this season if Dowdle isn't on this team. We are literally a different team when things are clicking for him. Depending on the situation, you cannot assume that all running backs are the same. They are not all  replaceable and expendable parts in a machine.

I definitely agree but I still feel like until you get a “better QB” it’s all moot. I don’t want us investing more in RBs when we’ll need to extend Ickey and sign a QB soon. Also we need a premier pass rusher.

[X-Clown]

16 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

Going by production like this is misleading. 

like watch Bijan Robinson and tell me he’s not the best player on the field every week. 

I think we are agreeing aren’t we?

[Lemur Lathon]

Green Bay describing what happened yesterday at Lambeau Field in this mornings meeting lol

[electro's horse]

32 minutes ago, X-Clown said:

I think we are agreeing aren’t we?

oh you think you're better than me because i'm drunk before 1

[PNW_PantherMan]

I understand not wanting to pay another RB, but a 2-3 year deal seems like the most logical to me.  This guy is far too productive behind this line to not try and keep him around.  Add reasonably competent play at QB and this team could do things next year.

[Jon Snow]

51 minutes ago, Lemur Lathon said:

Green Bay describing what happened yesterday at Lambeau Field in this mornings meeting lol

I love it.

[Shotgun]

14 hours ago, Packersfan said:

How do you all like Hubbard? 

Trade you Young and Chuba for Love straight up. lol

[45catfan]

14 hours ago, Packersfan said:

How do you all like Hubbard? 

He's a decent RB1, but a really good RB2.  He's the first skill position player that has done anything for us recently, which parlayed him to a nice new deal.

[X-Clown]

1 hour ago, electro's horse said:

oh you think you're better than me because i'm drunk before 1

No I’m envious.