Even back when the Dallas Cowboys announced they had re-signed Javonte Williams to a multi-year deal a couple of weeks ago, it appeared to be a shrewd move. Williams was coming off of a breakout season in Dallas, bringing explosiveness and stability to the running back position.
Jerry Jones had seen enough to hand Williams a three-year, $24 million contract. It wasn’t eye-opening money by any means, but it was a solid deal for a player who had previously dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness as a result of those injuries. But if Williams is truly himself going forward, that’s looking like a great move already. New York Jets running back Breece Hall getting franchise tagged by the team gives another reason as to why that Williams contract is quickly paying off.
Breece Hall franchise tag number could signal higher contracts on running backs in free agency
As Matthew Davis of Heavy Sports points out, the Hall news should be taken as a sigh of relief by Jones and the Cowboys front office. Hall is set to make $14.3 million under the franchise tag in 2026; that is, if they don’t reach agreement on a long-term deal before or during the season.
That figure makes Hall the fourth-highest paid running back in the league in terms of average annual value (AAV). Williams is at an $8 million AAV, which comes in as the 18th-highest number in the NFL. Given Williams’ explosion in 2025, the Cowboys look to have gotten a steal of a contract for the next three seasons.
If running back contracts are set to increase this offseason, Jones and co. did very well to hammer out Williams’ deal before free agency kicked off. If the front office had waited, it’s possible Williams may have tested the market and used other contracts – like Hall’s tag – as leverage for a more lucrative deal.
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