Cowboys say re-signing running back Javonte Williams is a ‘priority’ in free agency

FRISCO — The Cowboys struck gold with free agent running back Javonte Williams this season. Now, if they want to retain him, they’ll have to pay accordingly,

It sounds like they’re OK with that.

Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones called Williams a “priority” when asked about the free agent during Wednesday’s annual end of the year press conference.

“We want to bring him back,” Jones said of Williams. “We want to sign him to a multiple-year deal. We’ll be adamant talking about it, how we want to get started with his agent. It’s my understanding he really wants to be back, which is helpful. Certainly that’s one of our priorities to get him re-signed.”

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The Cowboys bought low on Williams and he paid off big. He was the first guy they signed in free agency this off-season. They gave him a one-year, $3 million deal. He responding by setting career highs in carries (252), yards (1,201), and total touchdowns (13) in 16 games played.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier this year that he hopes the Cowboys can retain Williams.

“I hope he’s a Cowboy for a long time.”

This will be the second time Williams is a free agent in as many years. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was very successful his rookie season with the Broncos, rushing for 903 yards on an average of 4.4 yards per carry. A torn ACL suffered early in his second season was a turning point in Denver, however. He struggled during the final two seasons in Denver.

Williams said earlier this year that he enters this free agency market with more confidence than he did a year ago. He also has a clear mentality on what matters to him about choosing his future team.

“You don’t always want to just follow money and things like that,” Williams said earlier this year. “You want to go somewhere where you can succeed and be a part of something that’s special. I feel like it’s very special here.”

They think he’s special, too.

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