Javonte Williams is locked in long-term. Now the focus for the Dallas Cowboys sharply shifts to the defensive side of the ball.
Sources confirm that the Dallas Cowboys have re-signed 1,000-yard running back Javonte Williams to a three-year, $24 million contract, with $16 million guaranteed.
Williams played the 2025 season on a one-year, $3 million "prove it" deal after he was picked up in external free agency. And prove it he did. The North Carolina product rushed for career-highs in yards (1,201), rushing touchdowns (11) and games started (16).
He deservedly gets a raise; that much of his free agency wasn't thought of as a mystery.
The timing, however, is. Especially as it relates to the Cowboys.
That fact that Dallas was still able to swiftly get a deal done here points to two deciding factors: a) it underscores Williams and the Cowboys' mutual liking and desire for a new contract, and b) the Cowboys overcoming a reputation of feet-dragging in preliminary contract talks because they know what's at stake for the coming months elsewhere.
Both could be in play here, of course.
This agreement had a lot of things going well for it, so both sides went ahead and got it done. It's as shocking as it is approved in the eyes of Cowboys Nation.
And it has us wondering if Jerry Jones - who's been promising he's changing his management style with some "bust-the-bank'' moves coming - is telling the truth.
This move is fast and early.
And it's not cheap.
Are we seeing the much-promised return of "Wild-Cattin' Jerry''?
Of the self-proclaimed (via a Netflix series under his control) "The Gambler''?
Williams would have entered free agency when the new league year begins early next month as one of the more intriguing running back prospects, but Dallas sealing its guy early is vital as it relates to the rest of the offseason plan.
This timing for a pre-free-agency signing gives the Joneses a relatively clean slate on offense with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and soon-to-be-franchise-tagged George Pickens situations handled ... though Pickens' upcoming negotiations will be noteworthy and maybe difficult.
The roster management attention now sharply shifts to the defensive side of the ball.
Dallas typically likes to informally begin other pressing contract talks in Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine, but with the majority of the offensive boxes checked, the upper management can spend a more concerted effort on scouting the next crop of prospects.
The Cowboys own two first-round picks in April's NFL Draft, and most pundits (us included) believe they should address Christian Parker's defense, which was one of the worst in the NFL last year under now-fired coordinator Matt Eberflus, with both picks.
Parker himself pressed the issue saying he will "absolutely" campaign for two first-round rookies to be defenders, though that variety is yet to be determined.
There are arguments that every position group - other than the trio of top interior defensive tackles - need fixing in Dallas: secondary, linebackers, and pass rushers.
In the coming months, the Cowboys can - and will - hone in on every option.
They have as close to a head start as they could ask for after quickly reaching an agreement with one of its core offensive pieces.