The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up their 2025 season at a very depressing 7-9-1, and while the issues the team dealt with were fairly obvious–good offense, terrible defense–there were undoubtedly positive signs in multiple areas. Obviously Dak Prescott and the passing game got the most attention, but the performance of running back Javonte Williams in his first year in Dallas was decidedly impressive, too.
But the Cowboys have had a pattern in recent years, in which they have brought on running backs, elevated them to lead the team’s ground game, then jettisoned those backs in free agency, churning through until a new bargain can be found.
Dallas did that with Tony Pollard after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, as he signed with the Titans in 2024. And last year, they let Rico Dowdle walk to the Panthers after he posted 1,079 yards the previous season. Williams topped both, going for 1,201 yards in 16 games, which helped him earn a bonus that bumped his payout for last season to $4 million.
Cowboys Hope to Re-Sign Javonte Williams
Now the question is whether the Cowboys will break with tradition and re-sign Williams in free agency, or stick with their process of scouring for bargains and paying bottom dollar to fill the RB1 role. Of course, fans of the team want them to spend, but give the front office credit–their approach has worked.
Still, Williams was good enough, and enough of a workhorse, to perhaps make the Cowboys change their approach on running backs.
When VP Stephen Jones was asked about Williams possibly returning during the end-of-season press conference with owner Jerry Jones and coach Brian Schottenheimer, he was clear about what Dallas wants to do.
“We want to bring him back and sign him to a multiple-year deal,” he said.
While there’s no telling what, exactly, the market for Williams will be this offseason, Spotrac projects his value at three years and $22 million.
Javonte Williams Willing to Stay on a Lesser Deal
Williams, for his part, has signaled a willingness to come back to Dallas and remain a Cowboys star, even if it means trimming some salary off his market value. That can change once negotiations become real, and once other teams get involved. Williams was the No. 9 running back in the league this year in terms of yardage.
Said Williams last month: “We been through a lot. I feel like this is one of the most talented teams I been on. Just going out there and playing a complete game would be enough for me. …
“You don’t always want to just follow money and things like that. You want to go somewhere where you actually want to succeed and be a part of something that’s special. So, I feel like it’s very special here. But I am just trying to keep making plays right now and see how it turns out.”
Cowboys Could Be More Aggressive in Free Agency
As for whether the Cowboys will be active in free agency, Jerry Jones addressed the question on Wednesday, though, as always, it should be taken with a grain of salt.
“I don’t want sound, by saying we’re going to be active in free agency, then disappoint because we weren’t,” Jones said. “But if we have an opportunity in free agency, and if we have more than one opportunity, we’re gonna take advantage of the fact that we’re in better shape today to play free agency than we thought we might be. So we’re gonna use it. We’re not going to save it in our back pocket. We’re gonna use it to where our advantages are.”
Cowboys’ Intentions Clear on Javonte Williams $22 Million Free-Agent Decision