The Cowboys have gotten one key piece of the offense locked away. So, what's next?
The Dallas Cowboys might be changing their approach this offseason, folks.
Known for dragging their feet in negotiations, the Cowboys have been the source of most fans' frustrations.
Well, those frustrations might be easing.
Why? Because the Cowboys have just been proactive in signing one of their key free agents this offseason.
Running back Javonte Williams has put pen to paper on a three-year, $24 million deal per NFL Network's Ian Rapport, which gives Williams a nice $8 million APY salary.
After being signed last offseason on a one-year, $3 million deal, Williams was seen as a dart throw.
Poor form and injuries hindered him, but as soon as he set foot in Dallas, it was clear he was a changed player.
Williams would rumble for a career-high 1,201 yards and 11 TDs for Brian Schottenheimer's offense as he became a key cog in how the offense rolled.
Such was Javonte's performance that he gave Dallas a top-10 run game, which then allowed the Cowboys' passing attack to heat up all season long.
So yes, Williams signing for $8 million APY will be the main story, but the headline should be how quickly and perhaps more importantly, quietly the Cowboys got this done.
We know that the Cowboys and contracts in the offseason sometimes don't go together too well, but maybe this is a hint of change from Dallas.
Cowboys' COO Stephen Jones said he wanted Williams to remain in Dallas on a multi-year deal, and that has proven correct.
Having Williams for the next three seasons will give the Cowboys stability in the run game and will see one of the better rushers in football return in 2026.
Yes, George Pickens is the big-ticket item for the Cowboys this season, but make no mistake: signing Javonte long-term is a great piece of business.
And it was one done with minimal fuss, something that Cowboys Nation will love.
That is one item ticked off the Cowboys' offseason to-do list, and now all eyes can look to Pickens and his contract saga. ... though actually there are two visions to be fulfilled here.
One: Keep this offense intact with Javonte and Pickens starring in it.
Two: Develop young Jaydon Blue behind Javonte as a "Thunder & Lightning'' combo.
But for now?
Williams, as many thought, would return in 2026; it was just a question of price.
And at $8 million APY, you can't argue with that. Nor the fact that Dallas got this deal done with ruthless efficiency.
Is this a sign of things changing this offseason?
Cowboys Nation sure hopes so.