Roy Williams 31 Dallas Cowboys Career Overview
Roy Williams 31 Dallas Cowboys safety played for the Cowboys from 2002 to 2007 after being drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He recorded 489 tackles, 14 interceptions, and 39 pass deflections over his Cowboys tenure. His peak season came in 2006 when he posted 104 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 10 pass deflections, earning Pro Bowl recognition. Williams 31 was a foundational member of the Cowboys secondary during the mid-2000s and remains one of the franchise's most recognized safety jerseys. More details on his career are available at https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilliamsRoy00.htm
Williams 31 signed a 6-year contract extension with the Cowboys in 2005 that included significant guaranteed money and performance incentives. The deal was structured to reflect his rising status as a top-tier safety in the NFL. His base salary escalated each year under the terms of the extension, with the final two seasons of the deal carrying the highest cap hits. The contract made him one of the highest-paid defensive backs on the Cowboys roster at the time. The structure of the deal is documented in league filings accessible at https://www.overthecap.com/player/roy-williams/3552
Roy Williams 31 Dallas Cowboys Contract and Earnings
Base Salary and Cap Hits
Roy Williams 31 Dallas Cowboys base salary increased from $535,000 in his rookie year to over $6 million in the final season of his extension. His cap hit peaked at approximately $7.5 million in 2007, reflecting the guaranteed portions of his contract. The Cowboys absorbed a significant portion of the dead cap space when he was released before the 2008 season. His earnings included roster bonuses and workout bonuses tied to availability and participation. Salary breakdowns are tracked by independent NFL financial databases at https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/roy-williams/
Guaranteed Money and Incentives
Williams 31 had approximately $15 million guaranteed in his contract extension, making it one of the more secure deals for a Cowboys defensive back of that era. Incentive clauses were structured around Pro Bowl selections, interception totals, and tackle thresholds. He earned a portion of those incentives during his 2006 campaign when he reached the Pro Bowl and led the team in interceptions. The guaranteed money provided financial stability even as his production fluctuated in subsequent seasons. Contract guarantee details are reported in NFL salary databases at https://www.overthecap.com/player/roy-williams/3552
Roy Williams 31 Dallas Cowboys Legacy and Financial Impact
Post-Cowboys Career and Earnings Comparison
After leaving the Cowboys, Roy Williams 31 played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears before retiring in 2012. His total career earnings exceeded $40 million across all NFL teams. The Cowboys portion of his earnings accounted for roughly $25 million of that total. His post-Cowboys contracts reflected a decline in market value as he transitioned from starter to reserve roles. Career earnings data is compiled in NFL salary archives at https://www.overthecap.com/player/roy-williams/3552
Financial Legacy and Franchise Impact
Roy Williams 31 Dallas Cowboys contract set a benchmark for safety compensation during the mid-2000s NFL salary landscape. The deal influenced how the Cowboys structured subsequent defensive back contracts and cap allocations. His jersey sales and brand recognition contributed to the