FRISCO, Texas — Javonte Williams has proven more than enough throughout the 2025 season, so as the Ƶ approach their season finale against the New York Giants in Week 18, the young running back doesn't need to say much ahead of New Year's, because his play has done the talking for him.
Regardless of if Williams takes the field or not on Sunday, he'll finish with his first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season (1,201 yards, to be exact) and his 11 touchdowns for the Cowboys are not only five more than the entire RB room in Dallas was able to muster in 2024, but it also matches his combined touchdown tally from four years of work with the Denver Broncos.
And, now, he'll prepare to head back into free agency but, this time, with a much different aura.
"Yeah, just believe in yourself," he said of his confidence level entering 2026. "I mean, just keep going, no matter what, and it's gonna work out."
It certainly has for Williams under Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys' head coach and offensive playcaller, and that's saying the very least.
Questions regarding Williams' ability to regain the form that made him one of the most sought after running backs in the nation in 2021, following an impressive collegiate run at North Carolina, were justified initially — Williams attempting to battle back from a devastating knee injury as a rookie, but unable to find top gear again for the Broncos.
As it turns out, he could, and he did, and while both he and the Cowboys have interest in keeping him "around for years to come", per Schottenheimer, the fact is he'll likely get offers from several teams and not simply the one in North Texas.
At the moment, however, there's one more game to play and that's where Williams' mind is.
"Yeah, that's definitely the goal [to strike in free agency while the iron is hot], but I just take it one day at a time," he said. "Don't try to put too much on yourself. I can't control it, so I just gotta let it play out and see what happens. … That's always the goal or the main objective, but control what you control and just keep grinding."
The calendar will close the curtain on 2025 and open the door to 2026, only hours after Williams' most recent interview, and it's unknown if he'll play against Big Blue, but it's ultimately of no consequence for someone who logged 16 starts and one of the best running back seasons in the NFL. In a matter of a few days, he'll either have played his last down in a Cowboys' uniform, or he'll be house shopping in the Metroplex with a shiny new contract.
But, in the end, his new year's resolution is much simpler than contract negotiations — trusting that side of the business to take care of itself now.
"To win the Super Bowl next year," Williams said with a smile. "That's what I want."
