NFC East rival drops first free agency domino that impacts one position market for Commanders

The Cowboys paid RB Javonte Williams before free agency, which sets the market for the Commanders’ options this offseason.

Josh Taylor — Washington Commanders News Writer
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Time is flying by this offseason, and the 2026 NFL free agency period is right around the corner, with the Washington Commanders expected to be active.

They have 32 pending free agents to either re-sign or let walk and test the market, but then it’s time to go shopping. General manager Adam Peters will have a top-5 salary cap space to work with, and he’ll need to take swings this offseason.

They will be shopping for many different positions, and one just had its first domino fall that will set the market for the Commanders’ options.

The Dallas Cowboys re-sign RB Javonte Williams

Many teams will be looking to re-sign their own players before the free agency tampering window opens on March 9th, and the first major domino has fallen. The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back RB Javonte Williams, who was a hot name in a stacked RB free agency group. They’re giving him a three-year contract worth $24 million, which sets the expectations for the position this offseason.

Williams was projected to make $7.67 million per year according to PFF, so he made just above that, which was expected. The NFL saw another salary cap boost this offseason, which will inflate contracts this offseason, especially with a limited group of players to choose from.

This will impact the Commanders, who are looking for another top running back option this offseason and a strong group to choose from in free agency. The biggest question will be who they are looking to add, and at what price?

Running back targets for the Commanders in free agency

The Commanders could swing big on Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, with reports saying the Seattle Seahawks are likely to add another RB instead of overpaying Walker III. If Walker III hits the market, expect him to make $10-$12 million per year.

New York Jets RB Breece Hall is likely getting the franchise tag, or signed to a long-term deal before free agency beings, but if not, he’s the top target this offseason. Hall is projected to make $12.33 million per year, so the inflation could land him in the $13-$14 million range instead.

Rico Dowdle is the underrated option at RB this offseason, and he could be a true RB1 in David Blough’s offense. He showed he can produce as a starter before the Carolina Panthers gave carries back to Chubba Hubbard once he returned. Dowdle could make $8-$9.5 million per year in free agency after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Carolina.

The Commanders have plenty of salary cap space to work with, and the RB position saw a slight increase in the market with Williams’ new contract in Dallas. Expect the Commanders to be linked to the top-5 RBs in free agency and be a top destination for players this offseason.

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