Williams proved to be one of the best offseason signings Dallas has made in a while in 2025.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams can be pleased with his work in 2025, leading the offense with aplomb.
There were many skeptics of Dallas' move for Williams. Seen as another bargain bin free agency pick, the bar wasn't exactly set too high.
But whatever that bar was set at, Javonte cleared it with ease.
A 1,201-yard, 11-TD season followed, as he helped give the Cowboys a viable run game, which eased the load on Dak Prescott.
With Williams at the helm, Dallas' run game went from 100.3 yards per game in 2024 (27th in the NFL) to 125.6 yards per game (ranked ninth).
That is some jump.
And now here comes a little feather in the cap for Williams.
Former NFL back Maurice Jones-Drew has ranked all 64 starting running backs from the 2025 season, and Javonte came in at No. 9.
That is some feat. And due reward for Javonte.
Javonte finished ahead of Saquon Barkley (10), Travis Etienne (11), Josh Jacobs (12), Rico Dowdle (15), and Tony Pollard (18). That'll do.
Considering Dowdle and Pollard were seen as backs some fans wanted to keep around, Williams outplayed both in 2025.
Now, the biggest hurdle Williams has to overcome is coming down the pipeline.
Doing it again.
With Cowboys COO Stephen Jones stating that extending Williams is a top priority and he wants a multi-year deal with Javonte, it is clear what Dallas thinks of him.
Money will come into it, though.
Dowdle was allowed to walk last offseason after reportedly wanting roughly $6 million APY. Williams is going to want at least that, I would think.
And based on what we've heard from Stephen and Brian Schottenheimer over the past couple of weeks, it seems a mere formality that Williams will return in 2026.
Of course, some thought that about Micah Parsons, too.
But Williams' extension should be far more straightforward.
He deserves to be paid north of $6 million APY, but maybe a three-year, $24 million deal could be forthcoming?
No doubt Williams has earned the right to seek a bigger contract this offseason, and the Cowboys should do their best to keep No. 33 at The Star.
We saw what this offense was like without a stable run game, and it wasn't fun.
I'm fairly sure Cowboys Nation doesn't want to go back to the running back free agency well again, especially after what we saw Williams do in 2025.
And I don't think they will.