Javonte Williams Signs $24 Million Extension, Vows to Prove Himself in 2026

Running back Javonte Williams finished his inaugural Dallas Cowboys season in 2025 with career-highs of 1,201 rushing yards on 252 carries (4.8 yards per attempt) and 11 rushing touchdowns, plus two receiving scores. The performance secured a three-year, $24 million contract extension—$16 million guaranteed—signed in February 2026. The deal more than doubled his prior one-year, $3.5 million salary and locks him into the Cowboys’ salary-cap calculations for the next three seasons.

Cowboys RB Javonte Williams After Breakout Year: 'Got A Lot More To Prove'Cowboys RB Williams still has 'a lot more to prove' afterNBC Sports

Williams was selected No. 35 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos out of the University of North Carolina. In Denver he posted 903 rushing yards as a rookie but averaged only 1,491 yards over the following three seasons and suffered a season-ending ACL and LCL tear four games into the 2022 campaign. After four years in Denver, he signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Dallas in the 2025 offseason, a move that catalyzed his breakout.

Cowboys RB Williams still has 'a lot more to prove' after

Williams’ 1,201 rushing yards were the most by a Cowboys player since Ezekiel Elliott’s 1,357 yards in 2019, and his 11 rushing touchdowns were the highest for a Dallas back since Elliott’s 12 in 2022. Sumer Sports recorded a total rush EPA of 12.01 (fifth among all running backs) and 821 yards after contact (sixth league-wide). The Cowboys’ offense ranked second in yards per contest and fifth in points per game in 2025, with Williams contributing a substantial share of that output.

Cowboys RB Javonte Williams After Breakout Year: 'Got A Lot More To Prove'Cowboys RB Williams still has 'a lot more to prove' afterSports Illustrated

Williams described the new contract as “a feeling of security” that validates his work ethic, yet he emphasized that his focus remains on continued improvement. He said he wants to earn a Pro Bowl selection and help Dallas reach a Super Bowl, framing his ambition as “working hard, grinding, and trying to be a better version of myself.” Veteran running back Emmitt Smith offered encouragement, urging Williams to maintain his current rushing style.

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Sources differ on Williams’ total touchdown count for 2025. One report lists 11 rushing touchdowns, while another records 13 total touchdowns, including two receiving scores. Receiving statistics also vary: one account cites 35 receptions for 137 yards, whereas another mentions only two receiving scores without specifying yardage. These inconsistencies highlight gaps in publicly available data for the season.

Cowboys RB Javonte Williams After Breakout Year: 'Got A Lot More To Prove'

• “It felt good, just knowing all my hard work paid off, and I got a little bit of security. But I've still got a lot more to prove,” — Javonte Williams, Dallas running back

Cowboys RB Javonte Williams After Breakout Year: '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.” — Javonte Williams, Dallas running back

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• “everything will be all right.” — Emmitt Smith, former Cowboys star running back

Cowboys RB Javonte Williams After Breakout Year: 'Got A Lot More To Prove'

• “I feel like if it ain't broke, don't fix it.” — Javonte Williams, on his health routine

Cowboys RB Williams still has 'a lot more to prove' after

Dallas will begin training camp on July 28, with the regular season opening against the New York Giants on September 13. All 11 offensive starters are slated to return, positioning the Cowboys to field a potent offense for a second consecutive year. Williams’ contract and public statements suggest he will be a central figure in the team’s pursuit of a playoff berth and, ultimately, a Super Bowl appearance.

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