After being ruled out for the regular season finale, pending free agent Javonte Williams could leave the Dallas Cowboys in March. Williams is set to enter the market with leverage, as the running back had a revitalizing 2025 regular season in Dallas. Despite dealing with injury issues during his first NFL stint with the Denver Broncos, the halfback has blossomed into one of the better, more reliable downhill runners in the league. Originally selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys signed Williams to a one-year deal alongside Miles Sanders, and the rest has been history.
Williams eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his NFL career. Although he slowed down for the rest of the regular season, the Cowboys are interested in bringing him back.
“Diamond in the Rough” Free Agent Javonte Williams Could Leave Cowboys
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Williams has the leverage to leave Dallas for a better contract if it’s in front of him. Last season, the running back hoped to get back to his old self in Denver, but it was anything but successful, recording just 513 rushing yards. Williams operated as the main contributor for the Cowboys’ ground game while being backed up by Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. After Dallas lost Sanders, Williams took advantage of the opportunity and was like “flying colors” for the majority of the 2025 campaign.
The running back makes a name for himself, so it shouldn’t be surprising if Williams decides to test free agency before committing to returning to Dallas. The Cowboys will need to offer more money, and given the cap space they need to save for George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey, the running back could sign with these three teams.
Possible Next Teams
Baltimore Ravens
While the Baltimore Ravens are fighting for a postseason spot this Sunday, the team will need to decide on its future in its running back room. With Derrick Henry entering the final year of his extension, the Ravens must find a way to commit to Keaton Mitchell or find another downhill runner in April. Mitchell is a restricted free agent, so it buys the Ravens time to decide what they want the ground game to look like after Henry eventually retires or signs with another team.
If the Ravens make the ultimate trade and send Lamar Jackson to a new team, this could spell bad news for Henry. As of this posting, there’s no guarantee of that happening until after the regular season finale against the Steelers for the “winner takes all.” If the Ravens move in a different direction without John Harbaugh, they could sign Williams as part of a new regime in this offense.
Kansas City Chiefs
Speaking of rebuilding, the Chiefs are a team that will have Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt hit the market. It’s expected of the Chiefs to let them sign with other teams, which begins the search for Kansas City. Brashard Smith is a promising running back, but he’s not quite ready for a full-time role. Williams isn’t the most lucrative option, but it gives the Chiefs another runner to lean on, and with Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones’ current contract, it’s the cheaper route to take.
Philadelphia Eagles
Meanwhile, the Eagles made a few adjustments in adding depth behind Saquon Barkley. After a slow 2025 campaign, Tank Bigsby hasn’t done much to help Barkley since being traded from Jacksonville. This means the Eagles will search for a new running back without Bigsby and AJ Dillon, and someone like Williams might be a name to watch in the market for them to steal from Dallas.