The Dallas Cowboys got a head start on free agency over the weekend, re-signing RB Javonte Williams to a three-year extension on Sunday. The running back position has been a weak spot on Dallas’ roster over the last few seasons, but Williams changed that in 2025. With Williams in the backfield, the Cowboys got a more dynamic and consistent running the football. Bringing him back was an important part of their offseason plan.
A former second-round pick by the Broncos out of North Carolina, Williams battled through injuries in Denver and never truly found his footing. But in Dallas, he reminded everyone why he was such a highly-touted prospect coming out of college. His ability to generate yards even in less-than-ideal circumstances came up big for the Cowboys.
In 2025, Williams rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns at a 4.8 yards per carry clip, adding 35 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns. He set new career highs in all major rushing statistics, revitalizing his career with the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys Executive Stephen Jones on Re-Signing RB Javonte Williams
GettyLANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 25: Dak Prescott #4 hands the ball off to Javonte Williams #33 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Cowboys exec Stephen Jones gave an interview at the NFL Scouting Combine on the importance of bringing back Williams so early in the offseason.
“I think it’s real important,” Jones said. “You know the good news too is that Javonte was wanting to get it done early, too. I mean, he wanted to be in Dallas. Some representation and some players want to have more patience and wait. Every situation is different. And certainly that was one where Javonte was really wanting to be a Cowboy, he wanted to be in Dallas, he liked the situation that he was in. Playing for [Cowboys] Coach [Brian] Schottenheimer, he liked the situation. You know, playing with [Cowboys QB Dak Prescott], playing with our offensive personnel, he felt like it fit.”
“Yeah, I think as the season progressed,” Jones said on when the Cowboys knew they wanted Williams back. “He was just consistently playing at a high level, week in and week out. And to be candid, I don’t think anyone knew for sure he was gonna be ‘the guy’ [on] day one, until he really — you know until we got to training camp and it started to become obvious pretty [quickly]. That he was gonna be the lead back.”
The Dallas Cowboys Still Have a Lot of Work to Do on Their Defense
As big a win as it is for the Cowboys to bring back Williams, it doesn’t address their biggest flaw as a team: their defense. Dallas had the worst defense in the NFL by a margin last year, truly floundering in the biggest moments and getting gashed by every team they faced.
With Williams back in the fold, expect the Cowboys to turn their full attention to the defense, both in free agency and the draft.
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