The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of needs to address during the 2025 offseason, but the running back position isn't likely to be one of them.
The Bengals are in good shape at the position in 2025. Chase Brown proved to be a valuable asset for Cincinnati in his second season, and the Bengals also have Zack Moss under contract for another year, setting them up with a strong duo.
Despite that, Jonathan Fuller of Fantasy Life thinks the Bengals could be players for Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle, who is coming off a breakout season.
"Cincinnati has a lot of holes on defense and is still working to extend star WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins," Fuller wrote. "They can't afford to spend premium resources on the RB position. Dowdle makes perfect sense as a versatile back who can rotate with Chase Brown and give the Bengals quality depth as they attempt to return to the playoffs in 2025. Let's make it happen so Dowdle isn't just viewed as a one-year wonder."
Dowdle took the reins of the Cowboys' backfield in 2024 and put together his best campaign, tallying career-highs in rushing yards (1,079), receiving yards (249), and total touchdowns (five).
Unless the Bengals are going to part ways with Moss, who saw his 2024 campaign end early due to injury, it doesn't make any sense to sign Dowdle.
Moss can be cut without much pain, as he'd draw a dead-cap hit of $1.5 million while also netting Cincinnati a savings of $3.3 million, per Over the Cap. But that savings could be wiped out (or almost wiped out) completely if the Bengals pivoted to signing Dowdle in free agency after.
Unless the Bengals see Dowdle as a significant upgrade over Moss, we just don't see any of that happening. Instead, we'd expect Moss to be back and Dowdle to be playing elsewhere in 2025. If the Bengals do move on from Moss, chances are they'd use the savings on a much bigger need than running back.
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