Dallas Cowboys sign key offensive free agent to three-year extension

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with running back Javonte Williams on a three-year, $24 million deal to return the team’s leading rusher from 2025 to Dallas, the team has confirmed. The news was first reported by NFL Network. Williams will receive $16 million guaranteed.

After signing with the Cowboys on a one-year deal last offseason, Williams experienced a career year, rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. Both were career-highs, as he also added 35 receptions for 137 yards and quality pass protection.

Williams said late in the season that his preference would be to return to Dallas in 2026, and team executive vice president Stephen Jones relayed the same sentiment in the team’s season-end press conference.

Despite negotiations having already started with the team in early January, Williams considered an agent change but stuck with Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports. The potential switch caused a brief holdup, but the deal was agreed upon on Saturday afternoon.

Since Williams was set to hit free agency on March 11, this prevents the now cemented Cowboys backfield weapon from hitting the open market. Heading into the NFL Combine in Indianapolis next week, the Cowboys are set to meet with multiple notable representatives of impending free agents, but Williams will now be a cat already in the bag.

The exact cap numbers for 2026 and beyond were not immediately made clear, but the team did free up $6.5 million for this year’s salary cap by releasing veteran linebacker Logan Wilson on Friday. After being acquired at the trade deadline for a seventh-round pick, Wilson played in seven games and accounted for 24 tackles.

This story was originally published February 21, 2026 at 3:52 PM.