Agreeing to four extensions that produced team-friendly numbers this offseason, the Bills still have a James Cook issue to sort out. The Pro Bowl running back has angled for a second contract placing him near the top of the running back market, and Brandon Beane‘s comments on the situation did not exactly indicate a desire on the Bills’ part to placate him.
Beane pointed toward the possibility of Cook needing to prove himself once again in Buffalo’s offense. The former second-round pick is under contract for one more season, but he is stopping the Bills from reaching perfect attendance at OTAs. Cook is indeed absent to start the final round of voluntary work for the perennial AFC East champions, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes. Cook has skipped Bills offseason work thus far.
Given the developments that have shaped this stalemate, it would almost be surprising if Cook did show for OTAs. The two-year Buffalo starter floated a $15MM-per-year deal as a price point before the Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry extensions. The latter came in with a $15MM-AAV extension this month, and even though the Ravens standout’s deal became notable due to the likely Hall of Famer’s age (31), Cook matching Henry may be a tough ask for the Bills, who have not paid a running back in a bit.
Buffalo’s current regime has shown some reluctance to reward RBs. While previous Bills front offices passed on second contracts for Marshawn Lynch or C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson and LeSean McCoy were ultimately rewarded. McCoy received an extension upon being traded to Buffalo in 2015, but that deal occurred on Doug Whaley‘s watch. McCoy’s Buffalo separation transpired early in the Beane-Sean McDermott era. The Bills released McCoy months after drafting Devin Singletary in the second round. Singletary then played out his rookie contract, doing so as the team traded Zack Moss midway through his. Cook had arrived as a potential starter just before the Moss trade, but the time is near for the Bills to decide on his future.
Beane has said he does not expect a holdout from Cook, who would face roughly $100K in fines by skipping minicamp next month. A true holdout would not begin until training camp, and the language in the CBA pertaining to holdouts makes them difficult to wage — especially for fourth-year players. While teams can waive fines levied upon players holding out on fifth-year options, a complication emerges for non-first-round holdouts. With Cook needing to report by early August to ensure he accrues a fourth season toward free agency, a holdout will indeed be unlikely (and is not anticipated). A hold-in, however, will be something to monitor if he and the Bills cannot come to terms by then.
Leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns (16) despite Josh Allen‘s imposing goal-line presence, Cook posted a second 1,000-yard season in 2024. He served as an integral part of the Bills’ success, as the team has leaned into its run game following Joe Brady‘s climb to OC. It would be interesting, then, for the team to play hardball with the 25-year-old back. But that is nonetheless transpiring, even after the Bills paid Khalil Shakir, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford this offseason.
There’s some interesting RBs available in FA right now too. I side with the player in wanting a raise, but right now I don’t see the team bending to what he wants.
He deserves a raise, but he’s not a $15M a year RB. He’s rarely used on thrird downs and without that offensive line deserves a lot of the credit for his success. Besides the fact that the Bills have two other solid RBs on the roster.
I think we’d all rather see what Frank Gore Jr can do than watch the Bills pursue a free agent.
Teams are again starting to value RBs but, as the most recent draw indicated, there’s talent available late at much less money.
So many free agent RBs after preseason will be available too and they have Ray Davis who’s capable
Cook is definitely overplaying his hand. His agent should be telling him to have his rear end at every meeting and practicing at every practice.
Cook’s agent would be tossing away leverage with that strategy. Probably better for him to advise Cook to stay off social media platforms and chill with the attitude.
He deserves a raise just as much as Shakir and has averaged nearly 5 yards a carry. Time to give him a new contract and he will probably hold-in if he doesnt get one. I wouldnt give him 15 million per season, but 10-11 million is reasonable and the team has already dished out too much money for players that dont produce enough. Take care of the ones that do.
There are rumors that he was offered $10-12M per year and turned it down, which seems more than fair for back who doesn’t play third downs and has a powerhouse offensive line to make him look good.
If its that much he needs to take it but I feel he will get better on third downs, though Johnson didnt have too many more yards receiving. No matter how good the line has played, 18 total TDs deserve a raise in my view.
10 million a year is what the guy is worth on a two year deal and with an escalation clause of 2 million for the second year if he makes good on the first year
I wouldn’t go higher than $5 million per year, for four years. Most of that being backloaded. RB’s are just so easily replaceable. Especially when you just need them for a change of pace with Josh Allen back there.
I see your points but its not easy for a back to replace Cook’s five yards a carry and lead the league in TDs. Yes, Johnson replaced him alot on third down, but still only had about 36 more yards receiving, so Cook can continue to develop as a receiver but with this team so close to a SB, might as well keep your best players, unless Davis or Johnson are ready to replace him, which they arent. Johnson is 28 this year, while Davis is the same age as Cook.
While somewhat replaceable, he’s been a steady force and produced consistently enough to get a top 10 contract ( but no where near $15 Million)
From CBS Sports…
Cook apparently wants a new contract worth in excess of $15 million per year. He’s coming off another 1,000-yard rushing season and a second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, but it would be pretty surprising if the Bills wanted to pay a back at that level — especially considering he played less than half of the team’s offensive snaps last year. This could end up being a stalemate.
link to cbssports.com
He played less than half of Buffalo’s offensive snaps. Sounds like someone I’d be done with when the contract expires, or trade the headache to Glendale.
Personally I place much less on the Pro Bowl label than if he had been named All Pro… people drop off the Pro Bowl team and their sub are all of a sudden “Pro Bowl’ for a flag football game or skills competition…that doesn’t make him a 15 million dollar a year running back.
Cook doesn’t belong in any conversation that includes Henry and Barkley. I understand that he and his agent will have to do some requisite posturing to support their side of the negotiations but they should also be aware of how Diggs attitude soured the Bills on keeping him around. This will be a much more interesting story to follow than anything related to flag football.
His brother seems to be behind all this.
Let him walk next year. Get comp pick.
finish out the contract you signed.