RB Rico Dowdle Drops a Bombshell: Files Petition with Cowboys Board After Eagles Crown Saquon Barkley NFL’s Richest Running Back

March 04, 2025 – Grab your popcorn, NFL fans, because the offseason just turned into a full-on Texas-sized showdown! Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has unleashed a stunner, filing a petition with the team’s board of directors mere hours after the Philadelphia Eagles handed Saquon Barkley a deal that’s rewriting the record books—making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. This isn’t just a contract dispute; it’s a gritty, gut-punch rebellion from a Cowboy who’s tired of being overlooked. The question on everyone’s lips: Is Rico Dowdle about to spark a running back uprising in Big D?

Barkley’s Big Payday: A Game-Changer in Philly

Imagine Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ freight train of a running back, bulldozing his way to glory in 2024—2,005 regular-season rushing yards, a Super Bowl LIX ring, and a jaw-dropping 2,504 yards when you tally the playoffs. On Tuesday, Philly doubled down, inking Barkley to a two-year, $41.2 million extension with $36 million guaranteed, smashing Christian McCaffrey’s $19 million-per-year mark and setting a new bar at $20.6 million annually. It’s the kind of cash that turns heads, breaks banks, and—apparently—lights a fire under the league’s unsung heroes.

“Saquon’s the gold standard now,” Barkley crowed on X, flexing his new title as the NFL’s richest RB. “This is for every back who’s been told we’re not worth it.” His 2024 heroics—shattering records and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy—convinced the Eagles to bet big, proving elite runners can still cash in during a pass-happy era. But across the NFC East, that seismic shift hit Dallas like a thunderclap—and Rico Dowdle wasn’t about to let it slide.

Dowdle’s Defiance: A Cowboy Fights Back

Picture this: Rico Dowdle, the Cowboys’ scrappy, undrafted warrior, staring at his phone as Barkley’s deal flashed across the screen. The 26-year-old, who’s been grinding his way to relevance in Dallas, didn’t just shrug—he struck. Sources say Dowdle marched (well, maybe emailed) a petition straight to the Cowboys’ board, demanding a sit-down to renegotiate his deal. He’s not asking for crumbs—he wants a slice of that Barkley-sized pie, and he’s got the stats to back it up.

In 2024, Dowdle didn’t just carry the ball—he carried the Cowboys’ offense through a brutal season. With 1,004 rushing yards on 233 carries—making him the first undrafted free agent in franchise history to break 1,000—he proved he’s more than a backup plan. His late-season surge was electric: 478 yards over his final four games, including a 104-yard gut-check against Barkley’s Eagles in a 41-7 loss on December 29. “Rico’s been our heartbeat,” a teammate said anonymously. “He’s earned his shot.”

Dowdle’s current one-year, $1.255 million contract—signed in March 2024—feels like pocket change next to Barkley’s haul. With free agency looming, he’s betting on himself, and this petition screams one thing: Pay me what I’m worth, or watch me walk.

A Tale of Two Runners: Rivalry and Respect

This isn’t just about money—it’s personal. Dowdle and Barkley crossed paths in Week 17, with Saquon piling up 167 yards to hit 2,000 while Rico churned out 104 in a losing effort. After the game, Dowdle tipped his hat: “Saquon’s setting the standard. He’s helping all us backs out.” But admiration doesn’t pay the bills, and Dowdle’s petition suggests he’s ready to step out of the shadow and into the spotlight.

The contrast is stark. Barkley’s a former No. 2 overall pick with a pedigree and a Super Bowl glow. Dowdle’s the underdog who clawed his way from South Carolina’s sidelines to Dallas’ depth chart, battling injuries and doubters. Yet both are proving running backs still matter—and Dowdle’s not content to let Barkley hog the headlines alone.

Dallas’ Crossroads: Cash In or Cash Out?

Here’s where it gets juicy. The Cowboys are staring down a dilemma. Dowdle’s breakout came in a 5-12 season that saw their run game leap from 91.2 yards per game (fifth-worst in the NFL) to relevance when he got the rock. At 4-0 when he rushes 19+ times, he’s a proven winner. But with Ezekiel Elliott’s decline and no clear RB heir, Dallas can’t afford to lowball their star-in-the-making—especially with Barkley’s deal raising the stakes.

Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ wheeler-dealer owner, loves a splash, but he’s also notoriously thrifty at the RB spot. Dowdle’s petition puts him on the spot: pony up for a homegrown talent or risk losing him to a rival willing to pay. With $23 million in projected 2025 cap space, the Cowboys could bump Dowdle to, say, $10 million a year—a steal compared to Barkley—but will they?

The Bigger Picture: Running Backs Strike Back

Zoom out, and this is more than a Dallas drama—it’s a movement. Barkley’s deal flipped the script on the “RBs don’t get paid” narrative, and Dowdle’s bold move could inspire others. Imagine Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, or Jahmyr Gibbs watching this unfold, dreaming of their own big checks. The position’s renaissance is real, and Dowdle’s petition might just be the match that lights the fuse.

So, what’s next? Will the Cowboys’ board cave and crown Dowdle their RB1 with a fat new contract? Will he bolt for greener pastures if they don’t? One thing’s for sure: the NFC East just got spicier, and Rico Dowdle’s name is on every fan’s tongue. This offseason’s shaping up to be a wild ride—saddle up, y’all!