Javonte Williams proved his worth. Now, can the Cowboys afford to keep the running back who "brings the wood" from their lucrative offense?
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys got themselves a bargain with the signing of running back Javonte Williams.
And now all they need to do is ... do that again.
Playing on a cheap one-year, $3 million contract, Williams in 2025 served as a surprise centerpiece of arguably the NFL’s best offense.
After sitting out Sunday at New York, Williams ended up 2026 ny rushing for career highs of 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging a career high 4.8 yards per carry.
The issue now? Williams may have performed his way right out of Dallas.
The Cowboys can create $110 million in salary cap room in the spring, so don't be scared off by "the nationals and the casuals'' who claim Dallas "can't sign him.''
That's completely bogus, and it leads to misinformation like what's being spewed by outlets like Bleacher Report, which writes, "Dallas won’t have the flexibility to issue a large contract to Williams.''
The Cowboys want to keep Williams; listen to owner Jerry Jones, who clearly came straight out of a coaching/scouting meeting when he used a certain phrase to describe the running back.
"I love way he brings the wood, so to speak, when he runs," Jones said. "So looking forward to hopefully him being a Cowboy for a time to come."
All of this leads to the question, "How large is 'large' when it comes to Javonte's post-prove-it deal?
B/R is predicting he'll sign in 2026 free agency with the New York Jets with a three-year deal worth about $7 million APY.
My bet? Dallas won't match that.
But not because it can't.
Williams was a budding star in Denver before he got hurt. He's now established himself as a gutsy north-south runner who also has some wiggle. He's a fine pass-catcher, he's excellent in pass-protection blocking, and he's a very bright guy who brings quality leadership to the locker room.
Should the Jets move on from Breece Hall and replace him with Williams? This can all be part of the Running Back Game of Musical Chairs. ... in which the Cowboys believe that their system doesn't require them to break the bank at the position.
So Tony Pollard can come and go.
And Rico Dowdle can come and go.
And if somebody wants to pay Javonte Williams as if he's a star?
I bet Javonte will be "bringing the wood'' for somebody else's offense in 2026.