Williams’ 1,201 rushing yards place him among a small group in franchise history to top 1,200, underscoring his value and why a return would be attractive to Dallas.
Yet those discussions do not constitute a formal contract offer, nor do they guarantee Williams will command fair-market value if he tests the market.
On the DLLS Sports podcast, former Cowboys receiver Jesse Holley suggested that if Williams leaves, the Cowboys could lean on a backfield duo of Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, with Malik Davis possibly factoring in as well.
Blue, a 2025 fifth-rounder from Texas, showed promise but has discipline and work-ethic concerns, appearing in five games for 129 yards on 35 carries. Mafah dealt with a shoulder injury in camp and only appeared in Week 18, collecting 18 yards on five carries with a rushing TD.
Dallas had gambled on Williams last offseason, and that risk paid off; losing him would leave the team counting on Mafah and Blue to deliver a comparable dynamic, an outcome that many would view as high risk.
As Dallas navigates the 2026 offseason, the Williams situation could define their approach at running back, balancing a potential re-signing with the development timeline of Blue, Mafah, and Davis.
