Dallas Cowboys’ Running Back Williams Shines, Contract Extension Discussed

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams has emerged as a key player for the team this season. After five games, he ranks third in the NFL with 447 rushing yards and tied for second with five rushing touchdowns. Williams has also caught 17 passes for 78 yards and one touchdown, showcasing his all-around abilities.

Williams, who joined the Cowboys this offseason after a stint with the Denver Broncos, is on a one-year contract worth up to $3.5 million. His deal includes a $1 million signing bonus, a fully guaranteed base salary of $1.5 million, and the potential for additional bonuses if he meets performance milestones.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Williams, stating, “This is a guy as a pass protector who is elite. He’s violent with his chips and so smart and so intelligent.” Williams’ physical style of play has been crucial to the Cowboys’ offensive production, helping them to a current record of 2-2-1.

With Williams set to become a free agent after this season, discussions about a potential contract extension have begun. ESPN analyst Todd Archer noted that the Cowboys have salary cap space and could benefit from locking him in now to avoid a price increase later. Williams will turn 26 in April and has fully recovered from a torn ACL and LCL injury suffered in 2022.

However, extending running backs can be risky. The Cowboys previously faced challenges after extending Ezekiel Elliott‘s contract in 2019, leading to concerns about committing significant resources to another running back. Nonetheless, the team may prefer to use its franchise tag on emerging wide receiver George Pickens instead.

“Everything is a gamble, but at the right price, locking up Williams now makes sense,” Archer added, emphasizing the need for the Cowboys to consider the future.