The Dallas Cowboys’ offense sputtered in the 2024-25 season, with a weak running game standing out as a major liability. Determined to fix this problem, the front office wasted no time reshaping the backfield and brought in Javonte Williams.
The veteran back has made an immediate impact, finding the end zone nine times through the first eight games. As he gears up for Week 11, here’s a closer look at when Williams joined Dallas and his free agency, contract, and salary details.
Javonte Williams’ Contract Details
Williams was the fifth overall pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2021 NFL Draft and spent four productive seasons with the franchise. He appeared in 54 games and gained 2,394 rushing yards on 606 carries for a 4.0-yard average and 11 rushing touchdowns. Williams also emerged as one of the league’s top pass-catching backs.
Over his four seasons, the 25-year-old pulled in 158 receptions on 203 targets and scored five touchdowns through the air. He sports a 6.1 yards-per-attempt average and caught 77.8% of his targets.
However, Williams looked washed up last year, rushing for just 513 yards on 3.7 yards per carry in an ugly committee. The Broncos decided not to extend him, but the Cowboys run a pass-heavy offense, and for them, the priority was pass protection, which is one of his greatest strengths.
Williams signed a one-year deal worth $3 million in March, giving the Cowboys a low-cost, short-term solution in the backfield while allowing him to rebuild his market value. The contract also includes several performance-based incentives:
- Per Game Active Bonus: $29,411 ($500,000
- Scrimmage Yard Incentive
1,250: $250,000 - Total Touchdown Incentive
12: $250,000
Through his first nine games, Williams has looked like a bargain, positioning himself not only to cash in on those incentives but also to earn a more lucrative deal next offseason.
Based on PFSN’s RB Impact, Williams is currently ranked ninth among running backs. He’s proven he can pick up yards with both agility and power, and that’s made him the Cowboys’ bona fide starting running back.
Dallas Cowboys’ Insights for Week 11
Team:Â After playing the Raiders, the Cowboys host the Eagles and Chiefs before playing in Detroit. The three games will be played over 12 days.
QB: Dak Prescott rated 28th out of 29th among all qualified quarterbacks in Week 9 against the Cardinals. He recorded a QBi score of 69.9 (D+).
Offense:Â Dallas had its worst OFFi score (71.1, C-) of the season in Week 9.
Defense: New Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams is 10th (72.7, B-) in Defensive Tackle Impact Rankings. Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark rank 24th and 38th in DTi, respectively.
Fantasy: In three games without CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens averaged 26.3 PPG. In six games with Lamb, Pickens is averaging 13.7 PPG. Still a solid WR2, and the Raiders allow the sixth most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.