Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cowboys keep RB Javonte Williams with big contract after breakout season

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 5:29 PM ET

Even though the 2025 NFL season was another forgettable and underwhelming campaign for the Dallas Cowboys, there were still some big individual developments that could be important for their long-term outlook. The emergence of running back Javonte Williams was one of them.

On Saturday, the Cowboys rewarded Williams for his breakout season with a three-year contract that will keep him from reaching unrestricted free agency this spring.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Williams' contract will be a three-year, $24 million contract with $16 million in guaranteed money.

Cowboys are betting big on Javonte Williams

The Cowboys originally signed Williams as a free agent before the 2025 season following four years with the Denver Broncos.

Williams entered the NFL with a fantastic rookie season in 2021, but suffered a devastating knee injury in his second season and never really reached his rookie form for the remainder of his Broncos tenure. The Cowboys took a chance on him with a one-year contract, and he ended up being one of their most effective players on offense.

The #Cowboys and standout RB Javonte Williams have agreed to terms on a 3-year deal worth $24M, sources say. Dallas keeps a big-time player.

He gets his $8M per year after a breakout season in a deal was done by @AgentNicoleLynn of @KlutchSports. pic.twitter.com/xHTcWxl4VF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 21, 2026

He finished the season with a career-best 1,201 yards rushing on 252 carries while also scoring 11 touchdowns. He added another 137 yards through the air with two receiving touchdowns.

The Cowboys are gambling that he is now not only completely recovered from the 2022 knee injury, but that he can also duplicate his 2025 performance.

If he does, that is a big piece for the Cowboys offense to have in place, while also taking one of the top potential running backs off the market.

Now the focus for the Cowboys shifts to how they handle the situation with wide receiver George Pickens. He is also eligible for unrestricted free agency following his own breakout season, but is going to command a significantly higher salary than Williams. That situation seems likely to be headed for a franchise-tag standoff and potentially a messy negotiation.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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