The Dallas Cowboys said they wanted running back Javonte Williams to return in 2026, and by golly, they meant it. On Saturday, Williams agreed to a new three-year, $24 million contract to continue his lead role in the offensive backfield. And while every deal will have its critics, this one is hard for even some of the firmest “don’t pay RBs” believers to hate on.
There’s certainly a case to be made that Dallas is still spending too much to retain Williams. After all, look at what they got out of
him last year for just around $3 million. Whether it’s Javonte in 2025, Rico Dowdle the year before, or Darren McFadden in 2015, the Cowboys have had a knack for getting solid rushing production at minimal costs for their top RB. Some out there would have rather seen Dallas let Williams walk and find their next salvage claim from among this year’s veteran free agents.
There is a certain strategic marriage, especially in terms of the salary cap, between that philosophy and how the Cowboys manage other parts of the roster. When your offense already has the NFL’s most expensive player in QB Dak Prescott, a highly-paid receiver in CeeDee Lamb, another you’re supposedly trying to keep in George Pickens, and you keep investing premium draft picks in your offensive line, something’s generally got to give somewhere. Throw in the team’s clear need to revamp and upgrade the defense, and the idea of spending any extra pennies at RB can almost feel counter-productive.
That said, we have to look at Williams’ new contract in the grand scheme of RB market value. Many have already compared it to the deal that Bears RB D’Andre Swift signed in 2024; virtually identical at three years, $24 million total, and $14 million guaranteed. The only difference is that Williams got $16 million guaranteed, which doesn’t matter much even if he doesn’t play out the full three years. Using that deal as a template, here’s why you may have to call this a win for the front office despite your philosophical views.
The key thing to remember is that a deal signed in 2024 doesn’t represent the same total cost as one in 2026. The salary cap increased 9.32% in 2025 and is expected to go up another 8-9% this year. The 2024 cap was $255 million and should come in around $302-$304 million when officially announced. So essentially, despite a nearly 20% increase in overall spending power, the Cowboys were able to keep this deal even with a precedent from two years ago.
When he signed his new contract, Swift had just turned 25 and was coming off his first Pro Bowl season in 2023. He’d turned in 1,049 rushing yards, 39 catches for 214 additional yards receiving, and six total touchdowns for the Eagles. His new deal came from the Bears, so it would mean a change in offensive scenery.
Williams does turn 26 this April, so he is a year older than Swift was, but was no less of a performer. In 16 games last year, he totaled 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, plus 35 catches for 137 more yards and two more scores. His new deal comes from the same team that he broke out with, meaning a higher chance of continued performance.
Scheme fit is another reason that Williams has value in Dallas. This team likes to do a lot out of single-back formations, and Williams has proven he has the vision and ability to adjust to blocking but also the pure power to neutralize initial contact. While the Cowboys do use a lead blocker at times, they had either a third WR or second TE on the field 83% of the time in 2025. Williams has to be trusted to make his own plays and he did that very well in 2025.
Williams is also a very strong pass protector, which is important for those offensive looks and for the increased play-action calls under Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams. His game is well-rounded for all of the different things that the Cowboys like to do, making him an ideal RB1 for this particular scheme.
Finding that same kind of guy for $8 million per year wasn’t going to be easy, if even possible. Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III are the top two backs in the current crop of projected free agents, though the reigning Super Bowl MVP may get re-signed by Seattle before the market opens. Both should get at least $10 million per year, which would move them into the top-10 for RB contracts. Williams is now tied with Swift for 16th on that same list, despite finishing 2025 ninth in rushing yards and eighth in touchdowns.
Again, if you only want Cowboys RBs to make $5 million or less for the rest of time, then this deal probably doesn’t make you happy. But when you look at the grand scheme of the salary cap, how Williams performed last year, and what he actually got compared to his peers, it’s hard not to applaud the work of Dallas’ front office on this one. We’ll see how Williams does after getting paid and as the years and miles add up, but at least it’s one 2026 offseason question that has been firmly answered.
Do you like the deal or not?
