Locked On Cowboys: Should Dallas Invest Big Money to Keep Javonte Williams?

Podcast: Locked On Cowboys – Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool
Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into a critical offseason question for the Dallas Cowboys: Should they invest significant money to retain running back Javonte Williams? Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool debate the wisdom of re-signing Williams amid positional value concerns, his contract demands, and the team-building philosophy at running back. The show also addresses Twitter listener questions about the futures of DeMarvion Overshown at linebacker and Nick Sorensen as special teams coordinator, with some timely breaking news on Cowboys defensive coordinator interviews.

Main Discussion: The Case for (and Against) Re-signing Javonte Williams

[01:19] Marcus Mosher introduces the debate:
"The Cowboys want Javonte Williams back and he wants to be back in Dallas. But that might not be a great idea. We'll tell you why next."

Key Points & Insights

• Positional Value of Running Back

  • Landon McCool [02:47]:

    • Favors re-signing Williams for the right price—ideally a short-term, moderate deal to ensure offensive stability and continuity.
    • Cautions against overpaying, even expressing discomfort with the idea of 3 years/$10M.
    • Notes that Williams provides stability, pass protection, scheme fit, and durability, but should be paired with another back to avoid workload fatigue.
    • Quote: "What you're paying for is you're paying for a guy that obviously understands your system... is a very good pass protector and is a guy that can carry the load... But... you really did need another running back to kind of help support him." (03:58)

  • Marcus Mosher [04:50]:

    • Agreeable to bringing Williams back for dependability and toughness, but worries about running back positional cost inflation and repetitiveness of the offense.
    • Warns against making Williams a high-priced extension in tandem with other major contract extensions (George Pickens, etc.), especially as the offense needs to evolve.
    • Quote: "I don't necessarily want to run back the entire same offense as they had last year... bringing back the same exact offense, but more expensive... And if you're paying Javonte Williams... three to $4 million more, then you need the offense to be even better than it was this year." (05:16)
    • Firmly a "no" if price hits $9–10M/year: "If that's the number, I have no interest." (06:20)

• Exploring Alternatives & Market Options

  • Landon McCool [06:30]:

    • Emphasizes the economic ceiling for running backs—must not overpay, especially if not a top-tier, explosive playmaker.
    • "To pay a running back kind of the ten million dollar range, I would want somebody who was even more... explosive." (06:49)

  • Marcus Mosher [07:45]:

    • Cites alternatives: free agents like Isaiah Pacheco can offer similar output at lower cost; "upgrading" to a Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, or Travis Etienne might be worth a slight premium.
    • Suggests pairing a vet-minimum back via free agency with a rookie draft pick to maximize value and upside.
    • Quote: "You can get passable level running backs in free agency for vet minimum... What if you do that and then you use the second or third round pick on a running back?" (08:15)

• Team Philosophy Shift

  • Landon McCool [09:01]:

    • Applauds Cowboys’ restraint last year; encourages maintaining discipline and readiness to move on if Williams’ price becomes excessive.
    • "Being able to walk away from a situation when it's, you know, potentially too much money... is the next step." (09:27)

  • Marcus Mosher [10:32]:

    • Stresses it’s a "musical chairs" game at running back in the current NFL, and the Cowboys must not be left without a chair—or overpay due to sentimentality.
    • Notes how easily Dallas replaced Rico Dowdle with Williams; "this is a position that we've talked about is eminently solvable." (11:23)

Notable Quotes

• On the limits of paying RBs:

  • Marcus Mosher, 06:20: "If that's the number, I have no interest."
  • Landon McCool, 06:49: "To pay a running back kind of the ten million dollar range, I'd want somebody even more explosive."

• On market flexibility:

  • Marcus Mosher, 08:15: "You can get passable level running backs in free agency for vet minimum... use a second or third round pick."

• On emotions vs. economics:

  • Landon McCool, 11:42: "...don't go crazy because you have some emotional feelings about how Javonte Williams played this year. Approach it the right way…"

Segment Timestamps

• [01:19] – Setting up the Javonte Williams contract dilemma
• [02:47 – 04:50] – Landon outlines reasons for re-signing, but only at a reasonable price
• [04:50 – 06:30] – Marcus warns about repeating the same offense and cost inflation
• [06:30 – 09:01] – Both hosts discuss positional value, alternatives, and broader team philosophy
• [11:21] – Reflection on ease of RB replacement and maintaining cap flexibility

Listener Q&A – DeMarvion Overshown’s Future at Linebacker

[15:01] Is Overshown Too Injury-prone to Count On?

• Landon McCool:

  • Draws parallels to Randy Gregory—talented but unreliable due to injury.
  • "You have to find enough linebackers to make sure that you're not going to be left out to dry completely if you lose Overshown." (16:15)
  • Advises Dallas to treat Overshown as a "bonus" and roster other starting-caliber LBs.

• Marcus Mosher:

  • Linebacker room is flux; suggests Dallas invest in a proven free agent linebacker (mentions Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean, etc.) and draft a top rookie, with Overshown as a third option.
  • "You could rebuild your linebacker room fast—and insulate yourself from Overshown’s injury risk." (17:48)

• Strategic Take:

  • Both emphasize the need to insulate the LB room through depth—with vet signings and draft picks.

Segment Timestamps

• [15:01 – 17:00] – Overshown’s injury history and implications for LB depth
• [17:00 – 20:29] – Free agent options, draft strategy, and building a LB core
• [20:29 – 22:28] – Big-picture approach: can’t fix every defensive need in one offseason; must pick priority positions

Breaking News: Defensive Coordinator Interviews

[25:29] Landon McCool shares breaking coaching updates:
Cowboys request interviews with:

• Minnesota Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Durante Jones
• Denver Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Jim Leonhard
• Browns Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda

Atlanta blocks Jeff Ulbrich interview, could change if Falcons get a new head coach.

Special Teams Coordinator: Should Nick Sorensen Return?

[27:02] Should Nick Sorensen Be Retained?

• Landon McCool:

  • Surprised Sorensen will likely return; "I always assumed even early in the season that Sorensen was always kind of a stepping stone for something else."
  • Questions impact: special teams were among the league’s most penalized and lacked distinction in coverage or returns.
  • Quote: “I just don’t know that what we’ve seen from them so far this year has really inspired a ton of confidence that... we couldn’t at least go out and look for another special teams [coordinator].” (28:47)

• Marcus Mosher:

  • Team’s return game lagged, notably with Kevontae Turpin. "The Cowboys had the worst field position on returns of any team in the league this season."
  • Calls 2026 a "make or break year” for Sorensen.
  • Quote: “...it just felt like that unit was sloppy.” (29:00)

• Both hosts: Express confusion and skepticism about the retention decision in light of mediocre unit performance and possible upgrades on the market.

Segment Timestamps

• [27:02 – 29:45] – Sorensen discussion: track record, unit performance, return issues
• [29:45 – 31:03] – Summing up: Has Sorensen "earned" a second year?

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Multiple references to “musical chairs” and the ease of finding running back solutions reflect a pragmatic, unemotional stance on roster-building.
• The light mockery of the Cowboys’ special teams woes—“resting on the laurels of your all-world kicker and punter”—offers a frank, fan-like appraisal.
• Running jokes about the ease of recycling former RBs (Rico Dowdle) underline the hosts’ point about not overvaluing “good, not great” contributors.
• [11:42] Landon McCool: "Don't go crazy because you have some emotional feelings about how Javonte Williams played this year. Approach it the right way..." — sums up the cold, calculated approach advocated throughout.

Closing Thoughts

• RB Takeaway: Keep Javonte Williams only at a team-friendly rate—otherwise, pivot. There are always affordable, competent options in free agency and the draft.
• LB Plan: Build depth and insulation, plan for Overshown as a bonus, not the core.
• Special Teams: Mediocre performance demands a higher standard—2026 is critical for Nick Sorensen.
• Coaching Carousel: Defensive coordinator search is heating up, and future staff decisions will shape offseason priorities.

For new listeners:
This episode delivers an honest, insider take on sensible roster-building, Dallas’ approach to positional value, and sets the stage for a pivotal offseason of franchise-defining decisions.