The 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions last week hasn’t mathematically eliminated the Dallas Cowboys from the playoffs, but the chances of sneaking in are extremely slim. With the 2025 NFL season all but over for them, it might be time to start focusing a little more on the future of the organization. That means identifying priorities like maybe extending George Pickens and any other pending free agents who are in their future plans.
It’s nearly impossible to know which pending free agents the Cowboys brass plan to prioritize in a few weeks when the 2025 NFL regular-season comes to an end. One player whose future may be murky after the season is running back Javonte Williams, who has been a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys this year and an important part to their offensive success. But, is he part of the organization’s future plans?
Given the position he plays and the value of the Cowboys brass has placed on the position recently, it doesn’t bode well that Javonte Williams will be part of the organization beyond the 2025 season. He’s been one of the more productive running backs this year, which might have pushed his market value out of the range the Cowboys are comfortable spending on the position.
As of right now, Williams’ projected annual salary on an extension is approximately $6.7 million according to spotrac.com. The Cowboys haven’t spent that kind of money at RB since they used the franchise tag on Tony Pollard and before that the long-term extension they gave Ezekiel Elliott. After those two they went the cheap route with Rico Dowdle in 2024 and Javonte Williams this year.
Will they go the cheap route once again in 2026? There’s simply no way of telling right now, but given the recent history it seems more likely than not that’s the direction they may go. That doesn’t mean Williams is unworthy or that it’s an easy decision to make. That’s just the nature of the business and the running back position has been one of the Cowboys have been wary of spending too much money.
So, despite already rushing for over 1,000 yards (1,022) and scoring double digit touchdowns (nine rushing, two receiving) and not showing any injury concerns, No. 33 still may be playing his last games in a Cowboys uniform over the next month. It’s going to be really interesting to see what he accomplishes in the remainder of the season, but whatever it is it likely won’t sway any decision that has to be made about his future in Dallas.
The Cowboys should already know exactly what they have in Williams and more than likely if he fits in their future plans. In the end, all of this is probably going to come down to money, as per usual, and the other free agent running backs the Cowboys could have their eye on, or even a draft prospect. That makes this situation an interesting storyline to follow as things progress through the rest of the season and into the offseason.