Cowboys Signal Major Shift at Running Back as Javonte Williams Era Appears Over

The Dallas Cowboys have wasted no time turning the page on a turbulent 2025 season, and their latest move signals a significant shift in philosophy — and personnel — on the offensive side of the ball.

On January 7, 2026, just days into the offseason, the Cowboys appear poised to close the book on the Javonte Williams era in Dallas. While the decision hasn’t been made official, league projections strongly suggest the star running back is on his way out, marking the end of one of the most productive single-season performances by a Cowboys rusher in recent memory.

This development comes amid sweeping organizational changes. After dismissing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus following a disastrous defensive campaign, the front office is now pivoting aggressively toward roster efficiency and financial flexibility — even if it means letting top talent walk.

Javonte Williams Set for Big Payday Elsewhere

Williams, who delivered a career-defining breakout season in 2025, is expected to command a substantial deal on the open market. According to Bleacher Report analyst Alex Kay, the New York Jets are the projected landing spot, with a three-year, $20 million contract reportedly in play.

Williams’ value has skyrocketed since signing a modest one-year, $3 million deal with Dallas last offseason. Spotrac projects his market value even higher, estimating a three-year, $22 million contract, confirming that the Cowboys are unlikely to match the offers he’ll receive once free agency opens in March.

For a franchise navigating tight cap constraints and broader roster needs, retaining Williams at that price appears improbable — no matter how impactful he was in 2025.

Dallas Eyes a Budget-Friendly Replacement

What makes the situation particularly striking is that the Cowboys are not simply preparing to lose Williams — they are already lining up a replacement.

Enter J.K. Dobbins.

Kay projects that Dallas will target the Denver Broncos running back with a one-year, $5 million deal, structured with incentives to protect the team against Dobbins’ extensive injury history. It’s a classic Cowboys gamble: high upside, minimal long-term commitment, and financial prudence.

“Dobbins will be well worth rolling the dice on for a cash-strapped club like the Dallas Cowboys,” Kay wrote in his December 30, 2025, analysis. “The team could be priced out of retaining Javonte Williams and will want to make up that lost production with a cheap, incentive-laden deal.”

High Risk, High Reward

Dobbins’ career has been defined by flashes of brilliance interrupted by injury setbacks. A former second-round pick out of Ohio State, he has missed significant time in nearly every season, including the entire 2021 campaign and most of 2023.

However, when healthy, Dobbins remains one of the league’s most efficient runners. In 2025 with Denver, he posted 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries, appearing in just 10 games for a playoff-bound Broncos squad. His ability to produce in high-pressure environments has not gone unnoticed.

For Dallas, the appeal is obvious: Dobbins offers much of Williams’ explosiveness at a fraction of the cost — albeit with far greater risk.

A Familiar Blueprint

This strategy isn’t new for the Cowboys. Dallas has previously found success betting on former Broncos running backs, and the front office appears confident it can replicate that formula once again.

Ironically, Denver previously moved on from Javonte Williams due to inconsistent production, only to watch him explode in Dallas. Now, with the Broncos deep in the postseason and Dobbins headed toward free agency, the roles may be reversing once more.

The Bigger Picture

Letting Williams walk is no small decision. He was a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense in 2025, providing versatility, toughness, and game-changing plays. Losing him will sting — especially for a team whose defense ranked among the league’s worst despite acquiring Quinnen Williams midseason.

But the Cowboys’ front office appears committed to reshaping the roster with cost efficiency in mind, even if it means embracing calculated risks.

Gamble or Masterstroke?

Nothing is official yet, but the direction is clear: Dallas is preparing for life without Javonte Williams, and J.K. Dobbins could be the next man up.

Whether this move proves to be a savvy cap-conscious decision or a gamble that backfires will define the Cowboys’ 2026 season long before Week 1 arrives.

One thing is certain — the Cowboys are not standing still.

Cowboys Nation, the question is yours:
Is this a bold upgrade fueled by smart economics, or a risky move for a franchise already walking a fine line?

The answers will come soon enough.