Cowboys RB Javonte Williams reacts to impending free agency: 'Don't always want to just follow money'

Barring a miracle, three games remain in the one-year deal Javonte Williams signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He will once again hit free agency this offseason, just with some better performances under his belt. A world where Williams is highly sought after following a 1,000-yard campaign is not too difficult to imagine.

So, with a decision pending in the coming weeks and months, Williams was asked about the future. He admitted most of the focus is on finishing the season out strong despite the slim playoff chances. However, he spoke on what kind of influence money will play, saying it’s not something to just blindly follow.

“Just finishing strong right now is my main goal,” Williams said via The Athletic‘s Jon Machota. “But I love it here. I love my teammates. I love everybody. … You don’t always want to just follow money and things like that. You want to go somewhere where you can succeed and be a part of something that’s special. I feel like it’s very special here.”

Through 14 games played, Williams has rushed for 1,113 yards and 10 touchdowns. Even when healthy in Denver, he was never able to reach the mark. Certainly not after going through a severe knee injury with the Broncos. Some wondered if Williams would be able to replicate his success, proven wrong this year.

Williams made $3 million this year, being considered a nice bargain find for the Cowboys. Running back was just a question mark heading in due to a few key departures. Head coach Brian Schotteneheimer quickly found out those were no more due to Williams’ production.

“He’s a guy that truly gets it, man,” Schottenheimer recently said. “He understands to be a great player you have to come to meetings ready to roll, be dialed in, ask questions, take great notes, go to walkthroughs. If something is messed up, ‘Hey. I need that again. Clear that up in my brain,’ go to practice and do things the right way. For a young player — I refer to him as young because he is young — I think that’s where you see the work ethic, you see the maturity, you see the intelligence, and then the talent. I hope he’s a Cowboy for a long time.”

Of course, general manager Jerry Jones will be the one who figures out how hard the Cowboys want to keep Williams in Dallas. Based on his comments today, offering the biggest contract is not a necessary tactic.