Contract talks are underway. The Cowboys aim to secure their breakout running back Javonte after his standout season.
FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams experienced a breakout season in his first year wearing The Star ...
And the plan - even though he's about to enter free agency after signing a one-year "prove-it'' deal last spring - is to have him here to do it all again in 2026.
Many were skeptical of the initial move, especially as we didn't see him at all in preseason.
We had to wait until Week 1.
But once we saw Javonte, it was clear why new head coach Brian Schottenheimer was the driving force to bring him to Dallas.
His bruising and powerful running style, combined with big-run ability, skill as a blocker and high-quality presence in the locker room, all added up to a big year for the Broncos' former second-round pick.
Williams would end his year with a career high in yards (1,201) and touchdowns (11) as he proved to be perhaps the best free agent signing for Schottenheimer's club.
But that one-year, $3 million deal? Again, it means he's a free agent. Now, we know how the Cowboys feel about running backs in general.
But ...
Dallas COO Stephen Jones has said Javonte is a "priority'' and that he hopes to sign Williams to a multi-year deal.
And this week, speaking to DallasCowboys.com from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, he not only reiterated that view but also revealed that the team has initiated contract talks with Williams' representatives.
We have made the point in this space that Williams is "replaceable.'' As we said recently on the Fish Report ...
“He's replaceable, and they prove that,” we said. “He was good, and before him, Rico Dowdle was good, right? Before him, Memphis kid [Tony Pollard] was good. Those kind of guys are getable. And here's proof of it in free agency. Nobody's spending a trillion dollars on a running back.
"Travis Etienne, $9 million a year coming. Kenneth Walker just scored three touchdowns in Seattle, $9 million a year coming, and Javonte, I say coming $6-$7 million a year. I'm not overspending at running back, and neither are they.”
So ... the Cowboys want to keep Williams around, and after his 2025 season, that's fair.
And if Williams is gettable at, say $7 million APY, that seems fair, too.
Williams, re-plugged back into this offense again, paired with the retention of free agent George Pickens, would figure to keep this Dak Prescott-led Cowboys offense at the top of the charts.
As always, it will come down to money. But Jones is suggesting that there is a plan here ... and that Javonte's money is now being discussed at the negotiating table.