Last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys were pondering the direction they would go within its backfield after finishing 27th in rushing offense in 2024.
The front office went to work right away in free agency, signing veterans like Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, and drafting rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah.
As training camp approached, the Cowboys wasted no time making Williams the starter, while the rest were put through competition.
The one-year $3 million back proved to be a steal after a career year.
Now, nearly a year later, the Cowboys view Williams as a long-term piece.
During Dallas’ end of the year presser on Wednesday, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones, was asked about Williams’ future as he enters 2026 as an unrestricted free agent, and made it clear the Cowboys want him back.
“I mean Javonte is at the top of our list,” Jones said. “We want to bring him back and sign him to a multiple-year deal, to my understanding he really wants to be back, which is helpful, and certainly that’s one of our priorities.”
Williams finished the 2025 season with a career high in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), yards per carry (4.8), and rushing touchdowns (11), helping Dallas finish ninth as a rushing unit to end the season.
The question now is, how much will the Cowboys pay the former 2021 second-round pick?
According to Spotrac, Williams’ market value is currently at $7.3 million, but has made it clear before that money is not the only thing it’s about, but also being in place that sets him up for success.
“I don’t always want to just follow money, or things like that,” Williams said back in December on his mindset for free agency. “You want to go somewhere where you actually want to succeed and be a part of something that’s special. I feel like it’s very special here, but I’m just trying to keep making plays right now, and see how it turns out. Just finishing strong right now is my main goal, but yeah, I love it here. I love my teammates. I love everybody here.”
Williams’ 1,000 yard season, was part of an offense that saw a 4,000 yard passer, and a pair of 1,000 yard receivers in 2025.
