The Dallas Cowboys have a decision to make on Javonte Williams’ future, as the 25-year-old running back is set to hit free agency in March.

Williams is coming off a career year in 2025 with Dallas, tallying 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry.

Though Dallas is looking to retain Williams, FanSided’s Jake Beckman predicts the Cowboys will let him walk and instead sign Jacksonville Jaguars free agent running back Travis Etienne.

Here is what Beckman had to say about Etienne and his fit in Dallas:

When the Cowboys need a starting running back, they’ve either drafted a running back very high or waited entirely too long to get a free agent and get stuck with an undesirable. 

But last season, they turned Javonte Williams from one of those undesirables into one of the better running backs in the league. There’s a chance that they try to capitalize on that success and actually go after one of the better running backs available. That guy would be Travis Etienne.

Etienne has quietly been one of the most productive running backs in football over the last few years, posting three 1,000-yard campaigns in his first four seasons.

The 27-year-old is also incredibly reliable, missing just two games in his career so far and playing all 17 games in three separate seasons.

Bringing back Williams would be a logical move from the Cowboys, but replacing him with Etienne would also be electric. The Clemson product would be a fantastic fit in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, as he’s a dynamic playmaker on the ground and through the air.

Etienne had a career-high six touchdown catches in 2025, along with seven rushing touchdowns. The former first-round pick would immediately step in as a top contributor for Dallas and take some pressure off quarterback Dak Prescott and the aerial attack.

Spotrac projects Etienne will land a two-year deal worth $13.6 million, an average annual value of $6.8 million. Dallas is slated to be $29 million under the cap this offseason, but if the Cowboys can create some cap space and end up losing Williams, they should pursue Etienne and upgrade the offense for 2026.

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