Cowboys found their bell cow running back and he's hungry for a Pro Bowl nod

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Javonte Williams turned a one-year, "prove-it" contract into the clear bell cow running back job with the Dallas Cowboys, and now he is aiming for the Pro Bowl.

Williams originally signed with Dallas for $3.5 million after an inconsistent four years in Denver. He quickly took over the backfield, carrying the ball 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns over 16 games.

His 4.8 yards per carry and 1,201 rushing yards were both career highs, marking the best rushing season by a Cowboy since Ezekiel Elliott ran for 1,357 yards in 2019.

That brilliant performance earned him a three-year, $24 million extension in February that includes $16 million guaranteed and locks him in as the lead running back through 2028. It is a highly reasonable price for Dallas, too. His $8 million average annual salary ties him for 16th among NFL running backs, putting him right in line with what Tony Pollard makes in Tennessee.

Recently, he got candid about what's next in an interview with The Dallas Morning News, saying, "I've still got a lot more to prove. I at least want to go to the Pro Bowl and definitely want to get to a Super Bowl with the team. Just working hard, grinding, and trying to be a better version of myself. That's all I'm worried about."

He has plenty of backing inside the building, too. Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams praised Williams' mindset and consistency during an appearance on NFL Spotlight, noting that his maturity and physical style stood out from day one.

Williams did slow down a bit late last season, getting fewer touches over his final eight games than in his first eight. Still, Dallas has a highly productive offense and lacks any proven depth behind him. So, he is set for another heavy workload. Missing the Pro Bowl last year gave him a clear motivation, and Williams sounds like he's using it.