The Dallas Cowboys have several pending free agents to address before the market opens next month, including running back Javonte Williams. The veteran rusher had a career year for the Cowboys last season, leaving fans to wonder if it was a one-and-done situation or if the partnership will be extended in March.
\Williams had his best season as a pro in 2025. He played and started in 16 games, turning 252 carries into 1,201 rushing yards and eleven touchdowns, averaging 75.1 rushing yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. He also had 35 receptions on 51 targets for 137 yards and a couple of scores.
But as much as some fans would love for a re-signing to happen, the Cowboys might not have enough time to hash out a deal with the way the situation is unfolding.
On Friday, Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins reported that the Cowboys have recently decided "to halt discussions" regarding an extension for Williams. The decision comes as the 25-year-old RB continues to search for a new agent after getting rid of his last one at the end of the season.
Cowboys Need to Get Clarity with Javonte Williams Soon
If Williams doesn't find a new agent soon, the Cowboys might not have a choice but to turn the page on this chapter.
The free agency tampering period will begin on Monday, March 9 — just over two weeks away. The Cowboys have plenty of needs to address, and they need to know how much money they'll have to spend and who's going to be willing to take a team-friendly deal to return. Williams is a great player, but they can't afford to center their entire free agency on him.
It would be great to bring Williams back, but the Cowboys' salary-cap situation might not allow that. According to Spotrac, his market value is projected at three years and $22.01 million. Spending $7.3 million a year isn't that steep, but the Cowboys are $24.5 million over the cap, according to OverTheCap, so they might not be able to afford that.
As such, the Cowboys might be better off just agreeing to part ways with him and moving on. They don't know who to negotiate with or even what their asking price will be for his services in his new deal. They also can't afford to wait to learn those answers while other names fly off the board.
As good as Williams was, the Cowboys could probably go with a bigger name at a similar price tag if they chose to go that way — which will admittedly be a mistake. The likes of Breece Hall and reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III are projected to demand $10.3 million and $9 million, respectively.
If not, they can turn to cheaper alternatives like Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, Isiah Pacheco, or even Rico Dowdle, who sounded more than open to returning to Arlington after a semi-breakout year with the Carolina Panthers. They also have a promising young RB in Jaydon Blue, who might have just one more shot at redemption before the franchise gives up on him.
Whatever the case, the Cowboys will have multiple avenues to explore to address the running game. They need to know where they truly stand with Williams soon, and if there's no clarity by the time the tampering period starts, they might have no choice but to look elsewhere.