Are the Cowboys Contradicting Themselves by Re-Signing Their Standout Running Back?
The Dallas Cowboys have found their long-term solution at running back, and it is what most people wanted. The Cowboys re-signed Javonte Williams to a three-year, 24 million dollar contract with 16 million being guaranteed in what looks like a team-friendly deal for Dallas. Williams, who began his career with the Denver Broncos, had a remarkable comeback last season, placing in the top ten for several statistical categories among running backs. While he had a career year and the Cowboys wanted to make it a standout point to re-sign Williams, are they contradicting themselves?
The history of the Cowboys not paying running backs dates back to the long contract dispute between former Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott and the front office in 2019. After threatening to sit out and after long negotiations, Elliott and Dallas finally agreed to a six-year, $90 million deal, and it seemed the Cowboys had their running back for the foreseeable future. Elliott, after looking like he would be on pace to become one of the best running backs during his era, had nothing in the seasons following his 2019 contract that justified the high price he was signed for. Since this contract, the Cowboys have been hesitant to invest in the running back position and have even overlooked it in the early rounds of the draft. It appeared to reflect Dallas' overall philosophy. However, the decision to re-sign Williams suggests that this may no longer be the case.
By looking at the decision, it seems contradictory for the Cowboys to choose to re-sign Williams. In the last three seasons, three different Dallas running backs had 1,000 yards, and this is where the philosophy of not wanting to pay a running back started to look like it was correct. However, during the season, Williams showed a lot, which Jerry Jones and the Cowboys' front office deemed worthy of a contract. The contract, which would determine whether Williams was retained, now appears poised to be one of the best deals at the running back position if he can maintain his outstanding performance. Williams, 25, is still in the prime of his career, and Dallas will look for him to be a cornerstone for several potential playoff pushes.
