One year after leaving Broncos, Javonte Williams gets multi-year deal from Cowboys

The Broncos decided Javonte Williams wasn’t good enough last year after he struggled to recapture his rookie-year form following a devastating knee injury. In two years after tearing multiple knee ligaments five games into the 2022 season, he averaged 3.6 and 3.7 yards per carry, respectively.

But when Williams joined the Cowboys, he found his rookie-year power again — and then some. He ran for as many touchdowns in 2025 as he did in his four Broncos seasons. He had his first 1,000-yard rushing season — clearing the milestone comfortably, finishing with 1,201 yards.

And on Saturday, he got his reward — $16 million in guaranteed money as the Cowboys and Williams agreed on a three-year extension that could pay him up to $24 million. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report the move.

The contract capped a heartwarming comeback for the Broncos’ 2021 second-round pick, who exploded in 2021 with a series of tackle-bursting runs as part of a running-back duo with Melvin Gordon that combined for 1,821 rushing yards, 2,350 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns.

But five weeks into the 2022 season, Williams tore the anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and the posterolateral corner in his right knee. He returned in time for training camp the following season, but failed to recapture his pre-injury form in a Broncos uniform.

COWBOYS BELIEVED IN WILLIAMS WHEN THEY ADDED HIM LAST YEAR

Williams’ performance last year validated the belief conveyed by Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer last year at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

“I didn’t really see anything that said that, ‘Oh, the injury was an issue,’” Schotteinheimer said then. “Usually it does take guys a little bit of time coming off the ACL, but I can’t compare that.

“I just know the film that we saw that he played really good snaps, some really good suddenness in and out of holes and accelerating into open areas. So again, I think we really feel good about (him).”

Meanwhile, the Broncos moved on, eventually signing J.K. Dobbins and drafting RJ Harvey. While Harvey’s per-carry average of 3.7 yards looked much like Williams’ production of his final two Broncos seasons, he racked up 12 total touchdowns — just four fewer than Williams had in four Denver campaigns.

Dobbins, meanwhile, averaged 5.0 yards per carry before suffering a Lisfranc injury that ended his season after 10 games.

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