DALLAS — As the wheels turn in the contract negotiations with headline players like George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey, one of the other most important in-house free agents can begin unpacking his luggage, Javonte Williams staying put on a three-year deal signed in February.
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' All-Pro quarterback taking a moment after a charity event for the Children's Cancer Fund, of which he's a co-chair with Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, spoke about the decision to keep Williams in Dallas.
"It was huge," Prescott said. "I sent him some messages, obviously. [He's our] valedictorian. I let him know how much I appreciate him, and having him back. I'm just glad they were able to get the deal done, for all parties. He's a huge part of our success and what we're gonna do."
The young running back had a resurgent season in 2025, on a one-year deal signed at the start of last year's free agency one year prior, going on to rush for the first 1,000-yard season of his career (1,201) and also racking up a career-best touchdown tally (11), the latter being five more than all of the Cowboys' running backs combined the previous season.
Now several seasons removed from his devastating knee injury suffered as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2022, Williams, a former 35th-overall pick, looks every bit the terror he was when he was selected out of North Carolina in 2021.
And he chose to remain with the Cowboys instead of entertaining inevitable offers from other teams once legal tampering gets underway on March 9, potentially taking less money to stay put — but for a good reason, as Williams tells it.
"Yeah I could've [left]," he said. "But it's about just being here and being around everybody. I feel the love here. This is where I wanted to be."
Williams has now gone from being a Bronco's afterthought to a prove-it deal in Dallas with a RB-by-committee blueprint, to a multi-year contract while also being viewed as the Cowboys' bell cow and one of the best running backs in the NFL.
"... At the beginning of the season, I didn't even know how it was going to go," he confessed. "But I feel like it worked out for both sides. Everything was good. I'm just blessed."
Prescott and the Cowboys clearly feel the same way, and the love that comes with it.
