Just over a year ago, after opting to let Rico Dowdle walk out the door, the Dallas Cowboys signed running back Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract, basically your standard-issue "prove-it" deal.
And after a down year with the Denver Broncos in 2024, the former second-round pick certainly went out and proved he could still be a genuine RB1, hitting the 1,000-yard mark for the first time with a career-high 1,201 yards on the ground while also adding another 137 yards on 35 receptions. And with 13 total touchdowns (11 rushing, two receiving), the North Carolina alum nearly doubled his previous personal best of seven, which he tallied as a rookie with Denver in 2021.
Some Cowboys fans worried that Williams may have priced himself out of Dallas with such a strong season, but that turned out not to be the case, as the 25-year-old opted not to even test the open market, instead agreeing to a new three-year, $24 million deal to stay with America's Team. And while Williams himself is obviously thrilled, the same can be said for quarterback Dak Prescott, who recently opened up on how ecstatic he is to have his backfield mate back in the saddle.
"It was huge," Prescott said of the Cowboys' decision to re-sign Williams. "I sent him some messages, obviously. [He's our] valedictorian. I let him know how much I appreciate him and having him back. I'm just glad they were able to get the deal done, for all parties. He's a huge part of our success and what we're gonna do."
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott knows how vital it is to have Javonte Williams back
Prescott certainly has reason to be excited about Williams returning to Dallas. As mentioned, Javonte rushed for 1,201 yards in 2025, which is only 232 yards shy of the total that all Cowboys running backs combined to tally in 2024. And that same group of backs scored just five rushing touchdowns, as opposed to the 11 times Williams found the end zone on the ground this past year.
Furthermore, Williams' rushing total was the highest single-season number since Ezekiel Elliott went for 1,357 yards back in 2019, although it should be noted that Williams averaged more yards per carry at 4.8, while Zeke went for 4.5.
Williams understands that he may have gotten a better deal elsewhere, but he clearly felt comfortable alongside Prescott in the Cowboys' high-octane offense and obviously wanted to run it back.
"Yeah I could've [left]," Williams said recently. "But it's about just being here and being around everybody. I feel the love here. This is where I wanted to be.
"At the beginning of the season, I didn't even know how it was going to go," he continued. "But I feel like it worked out for both sides. Everything was good. I'm just blessed."
Now, the real work begins. Playing on a "prove-it" deal is one thing, but now that he's making big money and has genuinely been awarded the title of the guy in the Dallas backfield, there's a lot more pressure on Williams to produce.