The Cowboys seem fine with paying Javonte Williams this offseason, but other free agents are out there, too.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams had a 2025 season to remember.
Coming to The Star, many were skeptical of the 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 Brian Schottenheimer got him.
His bruising and powerful running style, and ability to break a big run as he had runs of 22, 30, 66, 33, 20, and 21 yards, meant the Cowboys finally had a viable run game.
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.
But a one-year, $3 million deal now means he's a free agent. And we know how the Cowboys feel about running backs.
Dallas COO Stephen Jones has said he hopes to sign Williams to a multi-year deal, which would please Cowboys Nation.
But as our own Mike Fisher notes, with other free-agent running backs out there, Javonte's future isn't as secure as some think.
“He's replaceable, and they prove that,” Fish 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.
But if Williams is gettable at say $7 million APY, is it worth Dallas looking at Walker or Etienne for only an extra few million?
That is a serious conversation starter.
Williams has earned the right to run it back in Dallas, but as Fish says, the Cowboys aren't overpaying for a running back.
Last offseason, Dowdle reportedly wanted $6 million APY, and the Cowboys let him walk after a 1,000-yard season. So there will definitely be a conversation over the coming months.
Williams, in his offense again, would ease a lot of nerves, so too would George Pickens returning.
The Cowboys finally had a viable run game, and what that did for Dak Prescott and the passing attack was clear to see, with Lamb and Pickens both surpassing 1,000 yards.
But as always, it will come down to money, and more pointedly, how much Dallas wants to spend.