RB · FA · 30 yrs · exp 9 · Wisconsin
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Christian Gonzalez, the New England Patriots cornerback, has a contract dispute nearing expiration. While he skipped OTAs, his return for minicamp is a positive sign. History suggests these disputes rarely extend into the regular season, and Gonzalez is unlikely to miss significant time
It’s been a few years since the Dallas Cowboys went into training camp with a sure thing at running back, but they finally enjoy that luxury again with Javonte Williams in 2026. Fresh off a career-saving season and with a new contract to show for it, Williams looks ready to be RB1 in Dallas for more than just next season. Years in NFL: 5 Acquired by: Free agency (2025) Williams was a high second-round pick, 35th overall, by the Broncos in 2021. While he was the backup to Melvin Gordon for most of that first year, starting only one game, it was a true timeshare arrangement as each got exactly 203 carries. Williams’ solid rookie production totaled 903 rushing yards and four touchdowns, plus another 316 yards and three touchdowns on 43 receptions. In his second year, Williams started the first four games but suffered a major knee injury. Though he returned in 2023 and missed just one game over his next two years in Denver , Williams’ struggled on the field and averaged below 4.0 yards per carry both seasons. He didn’t look like the same player anymore, and it was little surprise that the Broncos did not re-sign him after his rookie contract ended. 2025 was an interesting time to be a free agent running back. The year before, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry had done their best to put some prestige and negotiating power back into the position. But Williams wasn’t in position to benefit from their efforts. He was a classic bargain-bin option, coming off low-performing seasons and with concern that he’d never bounce back from a major injury. The Cowboys, still stinging from the fall of Ezekiel Elliott and a disappointing franchise-tag year from Tony Pollard , weren’t looking to spend big money at RB that offseason. They grabbed Williams quickly in free agency on just a one-year, $3.5 million deal to compete for their open starting job. They also brought in an older veteran, Miles Sanders , and two rookies in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah for what felt like a very open competition after the draft. Quickly into training camp, it was clear that Williams was running away with the starting job. He was getting the first-team reps in practice and then sat out the preseason. We soon found out why as Williams scored two touchdowns in the opener, setting a pace that would give him eight touchdowns in as many games over the first half of the season. Williams’ big year totals were 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns, plus 35 catches for 137 yards a two more scores. He was RB1 through and through, and Dallas locked him into that role going forward with a new contract this offseason. Years Left: 3 2026 Cap Hit: $3.89 million Williams’ deal averages $8 million per year total, but the Cowboys structured the first year to lower his salary and increased the bonus money for some cap relief. With Williams now a 26-year-old back, Dallas probably won’t mess around with his contract too much more to preserve their options in the future. For 2026 at least, if he resumes last year’s level of play, Williams should be a very cap-friendly contributor on offense. Role: Starting RB Roster Chance: 100% Dallas’ open situation for the backup spots at running back is no secret. From Malik Davis to Blue, Mafah, and even Israel Abanikanda , there are multiple viable candidates to fill the depth chart. But the top spot is clearly Williams’ this year. He has the style of a workhorse back, with versatile enough skills as a receiver and blocker to never come off the field unless he needs a breather. The Cowboys will likely find ways to use the backups, especially if Blue emerges as a trustworthy change-of-pace option. They don’t to ride Williams into the dirt, either for a hopeful playoff run now or to keep him viable during the remaining years of his contract. But we fully expect him to still get the lion’s share of the touches, and that should be a positive thing for Dallas’ offense. Check out our previous player profiles from this series: RB Israel [... truncated ...]
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