Cowboys and running back Javonte Williams agree on $24 million, 3-year contract

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys and running back Javonte Williams have agreed on a $24 million, three-year contract, following through on the front office's pledge that bringing back their leading rusher was a top priority.

The team announced the deal on its website Saturday, more than two weeks before free agency opens. ESPN reported the deal includes $16 million in guaranteed money.

Williams joined the Cowboys on a one-year contract last season after an injury-filled four years on his rookie deal with the Denver Broncos. He had his first 1,000-yard season and finished with 1,201 yards rushing, the most for a Dallas back since two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott had 1,357 in 2019.

“Javonte’s at the top of our list to go out and sign,” Cowboys executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said last month. “We want to bring him back. We want to sign him to a multiple-year deal.”

The 25-year-old Williams was part of an offense that finished second in the NFL in total yards and passing, seventh in scoring and ninth in rushing.

The other big piece Dallas wants to bring back is receiver George Pickens, who had a breakout year in 2025 following an offseason trade from Pittsburgh.

The Cowboys have until March 3 to put the franchise tag on Pickens, which would give the sides until July 15 to agree on a long-term contract if Pickens were to sign the one-year offer that would be in the range of $30 million.

Dallas is trying to keep intact an offense that thrived under quarterback Dak Prescott and with Brian Schottenheimer as the first-year head coach and play-caller.

Schottenheimer prioritized the running game, and Williams made the plan pay off with a hard-nosed running style. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns.

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FILE - Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 23, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)

FILE - Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams runs during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Dell’Orso tied a season high with 22 points and No. 4 Arizona toppled second-ranked Houston 73-66 on Saturday to move into sole possession of first place in the Big 12 Conference.

Arizona (25-2, 12-2), which opened the season 23-0, won its second straight game following consecutive losses to then-No. 9 Kansas and then- 16th-ranked Texas Tech, that knocked the team out of the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll.

The Wildcats were down by two before scoring the next 12 points to make it 60-50 with about five minutes remaining. The Cougars missed eight consecutive shots and had three turnovers in that stretch to allow Arizona to build the lead.

Houston (23-4, 11-3) hadn’t scored in about eight minutes when Emanuel Sharp made two free throws with 4 ½ minutes to go. Kalifa Sakho made two more free throws to cut the lead to 60-54 with less than four minutes remaining.

It had been more than 10 minutes since the Cougars made a field goal when a 3-pointer by Kingston Flemings got them within 61-57, but Arizona got four straight points by Jaden Bradley to pad the lead with just over a minute left.

Flemings had 17 points and Sharp added 14 for the Cougars, who lost consecutive games for the first time this season after falling 70-67 at No. 6 Iowa State on Monday night to end a six-game winning streak.

The Cougars struggled to take care of the ball, committing 12 turnovers that led to 16 points for the Wildcats.

Arizona led by as many as 10 in the first half and was up by four early in the second half before the Cougars used an 8-2 run to make it 44-42, giving them their first lead of the game with about 14 minutes left.

Arizona visits Baylor Tuesday night.

Houston visits No. 8 Kansas Monday night.

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Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov, top, attempts to secure a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Houston, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)