The Dallas Cowboys needed to find a true No. 1 running back last season after Rico Dowdle was let go. Dowdle was definitely underrated during his time in Dallas, and it was a big hole on the roster. The Cowboys didn't do anything to replace him, but made an under-the-radar signing of free agent Javonte Williams last offseason.
That move has since looked brilliant. It was initially only a one-year, $3 million deal that was an absolute bargain for the kind of production Williams had. He ended up rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on almost five yards per carry. That was good enough for the ninth most rushing yards in the NFL last season.
The 2025 season performance earned Williams a well-deserved three-year, $24 million extension. He is now the true bell cow back of the Cowboys and is expected to handle another large workload of carries.
Cowboys' Javonte Williams is ready to add Pro Bowl to his resume
Williams' last season completely changed the course of his career. After his devastating knee injury in 2022 with the Denver Broncos, it took some time to get back to 100 percent and full speed. The Cowboys bet that he would find it again, and that's exactly what happened. Williams' speed and ability to break tackles and score in the red zone will be critical for this offense.
The sky is the limit for Williams this season. The 26-year-old has high expectations for himself and the team in 2026. Williams recently told The Dallas Morning News (subscription required) that he wants to go to the Pro Bowl. That's definitely possible for him, and many considered Williams a Pro Bowl snub a year ago for his outstanding year.
"I've still got a lot more to prove. I at least want to go to the Pro Bowl and definitely want to get to a Super Bowl with the team. Just working hard, grinding, and trying to be a better version of myself. That's all I'm worried about."
He also wants to get to a Super Bowl with this team. That's the sentence that many of this generation's players have said over the years, and it still hasn't come to fruition. Williams' 2025 campaign only solidified his status as an RB1. If he has a similar season again, he'll make his first Pro Bowl.
Williams is the kind of player who could likely establish himself as one of the better running backs with another 1,000-yard campaign, and the Pro Bowl will come knocking.
He'll continue to get early down reps, but it will be interesting to see what the Cowboys do at backup RB. That was Malik Davis, and he'll play a role again. However, Dallas did draft Jaydon Blue from Texas in the fifth round last year, and he could take a step forward as well.
Williams sounds like he's ready, and he's about to show why he was one of the biggest steals in the NFL.
Add us as a preferred source on Google