MAY 1: During an interview with Go Long’s Tyler Dunne (subscription requred), Beane said Cook has “got to still show he’s… the guy we saw if he wants to get that pay day. Either from us or someone else.” A repeat of the production seen in 2023 and ’24 may therefore be needed for Buffalo to make a long-term commitment. Beane added he views the top tier of running backs as a small group; it will be interesting to see if Cook joins it this offseason or if the team continues to wait on an extension.
APRIL 29: A big topic of the offseason in Buffalo has been centered around the contract desires of running back James Cook, who has been vocal about wanting a contract extension to help him get out of his rookie deal. Cook made the decision to skip the team’s voluntary workouts this month, potentially marking the start of a hold out. General manager Brandon Beane, though, has confidence that Cook’s situation will be resolved with an extension eventually. 
In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show today, Beane told McAfee that Cook “will be here this year and hopefully beyond,” according to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports.
A second-round pick from 2022, the Georgia product has improved each season of his career. A rookie season behind Devin Singletary saw him rush for only 507 yards and two touchdowns, adding 180 yards and a score through the air. In 2023, Cook took over as the starter and turned in a 1,000-yard rushing season (1,122 yards, to be exact) but only scored two rushing touchdowns, though he added 445 yards and four scores in the air.
Last year, Cook put it all together. In 16 games, he rushed for 1,009 yard and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. He added 258 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well. These efforts on an average salary of $1.46MM per year just aren’t adding up for Cook.
Cook is on record as seeking a salary of $15MM per year, which would make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. Given the amount of tread still left on his 25-year-old tires, a raise certainly makes sense, but apart from the league-leading rushing touchdowns last season, it’s hard to argue that Cook has contributed as much as Barkley or McCaffrey in his career.
Still, Beane seems to be willing to play ball on extension conversations. He seems willing to take his time, though, as well, considering Cook has another year on his contract (and a franchise tag has been a popular option for keeping running backs around), but it sounds like Beane has every intention of keeping his star rusher happy to keep him in the building.
Their offense revolves around him running the ball. Extend him quick!
The problem is Cook is useless as a rusher in short yardage situations. The Bills need someone who can pound inside effectively in the red zone.
No, the offense revolves around JA and the offensive line, with a bunch of other decent but not Pro-Bowl caliber guys making plays. Cook is not a $15M guy.
I’d like to see more of Frank Gore Jr. I think he led all rushers in yardage during the exhibition season last year.
Ray Davis >>> Gore
The dude is to small and got bad knees
I guess they’re wary of him experiencing the same drop off his brother experienced.
Never give an RB their second contract, or third, he was drafted in round 2, keep drafting and churning RBs.
Cook plays less than 50% of the snaps. He is never in the game when the game is on the line in the last 3-4 minutes. Ty Johnson is their go to back when game is on the line. Ray Davis is their man for short yardage. Cook is a terrible blocker. He also has the advantage of playing for a top 5 o line with the MVP QB. Put him with an avg club, he becomes an avg back. The bills will offer him 8 and he won’t take it. If they can find a suitable trade partner, he is gone