The Cowboys locked away a key offensive piece before free agency even began.
We knew as soon as the 2025 season ended that the Dallas Cowboys had to be proactive in re-signing their own.
George Pickens, Brandon Aubrey, and Javonte Williams were the top items, along with Jadeveon Clowney.
Well, Williams is the first to sign, putting pen to paper on a three-year, $24 million deal that has $16 million guaranteed.
That is a smart move for both Javonte and the Cowboys, plus it gets one key contract out of the way before free agency even begins.
In a swift, yet quiet move, the Cowboys didn't allow their lead back to even sniff free agency, something Cowboys Nation hopes with Pickens and Aubrey.
And speaking with Calvin Watkins, of the Dallas Morning News, Stephen might have hinted exactly why Dallas was able to sign Williams so early.
“We love him. He wants to be here, so that part is accomplished,” Jones said.
Those first three words. That's it.
Dallas loved Williams after his 1,201 yards and 11 TDs helped power the Cowboys to a top-10 run game in 2025, along with what he was able to do in the passing game as a receiver and pass protector for Dak Prescott.
It was a no-brainer to bring Javonte back.
It now has the Cowboys entering an offseason, for the first time in recent memory, where running back won't be a big, red blinking light to the front office.
They have their guy.
Behind him might be a different story, with Jaydon Blue, thanks to Dallas' Thunder and Lightning" approach, which the franchise told our own Mike Fisher is their vision for 2026.
So he will likely get first crack, with Malik Davis and Phil Mafah behind him.
It was well-known of Dallas' love for Javonte. He was everything Brian Schottenheimer wanted in a running back. Tough, physical, good in pass protection, and is an option as a receiver.
And it all led to him being the first to be signed.
Let's see if Aubrey and Pickens get that same love from the Cowboys in the coming weeks.