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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams.
It turns out the Dallas Cowboys might value running backs a little bit more than anyone anticipated.
The Cowboys made a shocking move on Saturday by agreeing to a 3-year, $24 million contract with running back Javonte Williams which included $16 million in guaranteed money.
The massive payday comes after Williams delivered career highs of 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry on a 1-year, $3 million “prove it contract” after spending his 1st 4 seasons with the Denver Broncos.
“Dallas and free-agent-to-be RB Javonte Williams reached agreement on a three-year contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed money,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
“The Cowboys and standout RB Javonte Williams have agreed to terms on a 3-year deal worth $24M, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “Dallas keeps a big-time player. He gets his $8M per year after a breakout season … “
“The Cowboys agreement with running back Javonte Williams is three years, $24 million with a $6 million signing bonus, according to sources,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on X. “Cowboys keep their lead running back. Williams returns to an offense that features him w/ a potent passing attack. Good deal for both sides.”
Williams Became Surprise Star for Cowboys
Williams was a long shot to star for the Cowboys in 2025 but became a vital part of the NFL’s No. 2 offense just 1 year after the Broncos cut bait after he rushed for 513 yards and 4 touchdowns while averaging just 3.7 yards per carry in 2024 while playing in all 17 games.
Even more incredible about Williams’ big year is he did it while the Cowboys asked him to do something most running backs hate, and to do it more than any other NFL running back.
“Javonte Williams leads all NFL running backs with 104 pass block snaps, per PFF, and his 97.9% pass block efficiency is third among running backs in 2025 with at least 50 pass block snaps, behind Travis Etienne Jr. (99.1% on 54 snaps) and Rhamondre Stevenson (98.3% on 61 snaps),” NFL insider Ed Werder wrote on his official X account on December 30.
Time With Broncos Came to Unceremonious End
Williams was a second round pick (No. 54 overall) by the Broncos in the 2021 NFL draft after rushing for over 1,100 yards and earning All-American honors for the University of North Carolina in 2020.
His career took off like a rocket with the Broncos when he earned All-Rookie honors in 2021 after he racked up 1,219 yards of total offense and 7 touchdowns, including 903 rushing yards. In 2022, a devastating knee injury put Williams’ career in jeopardy after he tore his ACL, LCL and PCL in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the 2 seasons after his injury, Williams was almost completely ineffective. He led the Broncos with 774 rushing yards in 2023 then saw his numbers dip even more in 2024.
The Broncos drafted a running back in the 2nd round of the 2025 NFL draft with RJ Harvey and added another running back in free agency with J.K. Dobbins on the way to going 14-3 in the regular season and earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
“Happy for Javonte, by all accounts he worked diligently to get back to form after injuries in Denver,” NFL reporter Peter Jennings wrote on X. “RB might be the most brutal position in sports and it’s hard to get a payday.”
“Javonte Williams among RBs last season: 896 yards after contact (6th). 54 missed tackles forced (7th), 11 rushing touchdowns (8th),” PFF Fantasy wrote on its official X account. “STAYING IN DALLAS.”
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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