Early on in 2025 NFL free agency, the Dallas Cowboys took a calculated risk on an offensive weapon that paid major dividends immediately.
The Cowboys signed free agent running back Javonte Williams, a former second-round pick of the Denver Broncos, to a one-year contract worth just $3 million in total money and a borderline laughable $1 million in guaranteed money. Based on the way things had gone in 2023 and 2024 for Williams with the Broncos, that price was justified. Based on how he played in 2025? It was arguably the steal of the offseason.
Williams has run for over 1,200 yards (a career-high) in his first year with Dallas, adding 13 total touchdowns along with multiple 100-yard rushing games. It's been the best year of Williams' career at the best possible time, and it's led the Cowboys to a no-brainer decision in 2026.
Cowboys might be able to get Javonte Williams back at a ridiculous bargain once again in 2026
According to Spotrac's Market Value projections, Williams is projected to make a salary worth $7.4 million in average annual value.
Even though that's more than double his total money in the 2025 season, the percentage of the salary cap that Williams would take up on a multi-year deal worth $7.4 million in average annual value would be inconsequential, even with the Cowboys needing to do some salary cap gymnastics this offseason.
The Cowboys have a number of things they need to address in the 2026 offseason, notably the contract situation of wide receiver George Pickens. There is almost no question that the Cowboys are going to allocate the resources to keep Pickens around, which means there will likely be sacrifices either way, but those moves have already begun.
The Cowboys ditched Trevon Diggs, and they'll carry over more than $22 million next year (not just from Diggs). Dak Prescott is also going to be a no-brainer to restructure with a cap hit over $74 million (nearly 25 percent of the salary cap overall). Once the Cowboys get some of these tune-ups done, it'll be much easier to see the path to keeping a player like Williams.
Taking the shot on Williams in free agency was absolutely perfect by the Cowboys. He is just 25 years old and won't turn 26 until April. He's got plenty left in the tank, as we all saw this past season, and will allow the Cowboys to move forward without thinking about having to invest a higher draft choice at running back in 2026.
Cowboys fans can rest easy knowing Williams is capable of doing everything you could need at the running back position, including being one of the best pass-protecting backs in the NFL. He's an every-down runner, and because of the fit with Dallas, he might be inclined to even give the team a friendly deal so he can keep that gig moving forward.
At a projected $7.4 million per season, the Cowboys have a no-brainer decision to keep that offense elite going forward.