Bills running back James Cook, who was an active participant in Buffalo’s practices when training camp began, switched to a hold-in strategy last week as extension talks with the team drag on. That approach has now carried over into preseason games.
Per Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News, Cook warmed up with his teammates before the Bills’ preseason opener against the Giants on Saturday. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg adds Cook was in full uniform and even took a snap with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills. However, he did not play in the game.
Head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged after the game that he wanted Cook to participate. Outside of quarterback Josh Allen and several other players who have injury concerns, most of the team’s projected starters did play to some extent. McDermott also said he had a “good conversation” with Cook on Friday, at which point Cook agreed to participate in warmups but made plain he would not actually play.
“We wanted him to play. I wanted him to play, but I don’t really want to go into it any further,” McDermott said (via Getzenberg). “There is really no change at this point in time from what it was going into this weekend and the game today, so he warmed up, like I said, but at this point, due to the situation and position he’s in, he was not willing to play, so that’s where we’re at. Again, it was a good conversation, but really no change overall.”
Shortly after it became clear Cook was holding in, a follow-up report indicated player and team were still engaged in contract discussions and were not too far apart in those discussions. But GM Brandon Beane, while confirming he hoped to strike a deal keeping Cook in the fold beyond 2025, appeared to leave open the possibility that such an agreement may not come until after the season.
Between those comments and McDermott’s “no change” remarks, it is difficult to say where negotiations stand at this point. Cook declined to comment after the game, though his agent, Zac Hiller, did send a text to ESPN.
“I don’t know what else he can do to show he only wants to play for the Bills,” the text read (via Getzenberg). “Hopefully we can figure this out and refocus all energy on bringing a Super Bowl to Buffalo.”
Missing training camp practices is one thing, but missing regular season games is quite another, and it may not be a viable option for Cook. Still, the championship-caliber Bills clearly want to have their RB1 available and in football shape for the upcoming campaign, which opens with a contest against the Ravens, one of their top AFC competitors.
For now, the stare-down continues.
I miss old-school NFL head coaches.
If that was Marv Levy, Cook would already want to play every game, preseason or not.
It doesn’t matter who the coach is, Cook would still be holding in for his money.
I’d rather see Frank Gore Jr get some playing time anyway.
Genius move by McDermott as usual…
Could you explain why McDermott is attacked here?
Sleight of hand conjecture of a player’s contract status for one. Coaches shouldn’t bring it up.
“For one” – seems like you have a list but only give this one reach of a response.
“Sleight of hand conjecture”
Thats a good one. What exactly did he say that warranted the attack? Its a large stretch even if you are being generous.
What do you think he should have said instead? He gets asked about it, and shouldn’t say anything? Like its not stated the obvious anyway?
I just can’t get to a place where McDermott has any blame here. I like my coaches who want players to play, but thats just me. You do you.
Thank you for chiming in.
All coaches want their starters to start… It didn’t warrant a comment in my opinion.
Now I’m not feigning positive notions or being ambiguous by saying “genius move” I agree that’s not fair at all. However resorting to the fortuitous no comment would have been the prudent move (again, in my opinion).
Then what’s the harm in saying no change – we wanted him to play?
Its an odd response to have a strong reaction to a benign comment.
It’s a loaded question. He shouldn’t have commented on the player. Comment on the game.
If you think it’s so benign then clearly my opinion offers zero value to you. My apologies.
Everytime the Bills’ other RBs have a great game, including yesterday, it will diminish his value. He needs to come back to reality with financial expectations (he’s no Saquon) or gamble on playing out his contract without getting injured. Bills fans love him but he’s not worth breaking the bank for.
Remember… RBs are constantly needing to benchmark the next groups contract as they were nerfed 5 years ago. He’s not just fighting for his contract, but the also the next RBs up.
Then let him do it on another team. No sane GM is going to give him $15 million/ yr.
The Kyren Williams contract probably sucked a lot of air out of those wings…
Someone too cowardly to allow replies to their own comments is asking for an explanation from a long time regular? That’s rich!
If your not Barkley or Henry, of that caliber…..your replaceable, running backs a dime a dozen, give em an o-line
AKA……Austin Ekeler
Another millionaire baby. I don’t sympathize with owners by any means but come on. 5 years ago you were just some broke kid. You haven’t broke records, just play out your contract then you can see what the NFL really thinks your value is. It’s sad hold ins and hold outs and fake injury’s have became the normal for nfl offseason. To hell with scary terry, parsons, this jerkoff, Trey Henderson and anyone I’m not thinking of. Let’s see them work a real job making what the rest of us do and then try complaining about the millions you want
Other people have explained why this is a bad take in a multitude of other articles this season and past. I’m sorry people like you continue to feel the need to attack the players.
Normally I wouldn’t reply to such a cliched, misinformed take on contract stalemates, except that I find your diatribe particularly hilarious that in just a handful of nonsensical, rambling sentences you assert Cook was a “broke kid” a few years ago but also that he lacks the perspective of what it’s like to struggle financially. Sounds like Cook understands *exactly* what it’s like and is doing all that he can to ensure he’s compensated as well as he can be for his time and talent. Just like anybody would do.
I don’t think Dalvin Cook’s brother was a broke kid
Seems like you are yelling at a football player looking for a raise because you are angry and bitter about your lack of marketable skills and crap job.
Good for Jimbo, I hope he gets his money. Its just… read the room, buddy. The Bills are pretty capped out right now. Yeah, they could do some fancy footwork to squeeze him in, at the expense of future seasons’ cap, but Beane has done a lot of work the last two seasons trying to clean the books up. He’s unlikely to change course now, at least not for an RB. Hope the Bills trade him somewhere that can pay him, and everyone walks away happy.
Take emotions out of the equation
K Williams
who was the same draft class
Has similar yardage
Had 16 more TD’s
Plays 82% vs Cook 54% of plays
Stays in during passing play vs Ty Johnson in
Can pound the ball at goal line vs Cook who many times is taken out
Williams receives 11 million per year which is exactly what “the market” is
Furthermore if Cook goes to a poor team without a very good O line (which he has now) or a MVP QB who makes defenses dedicate assets to cover or shadow he becomes even lower ranked than his current 14th production
Accept the 11 million and get on the field or trade for a 2nd rounder and focus on the Superbowl
If a team offers a 2nd rounder for an rb in a contract year the bills hit the accept button immediately
Should have to forfeit his check, do not pay this clown!
Nice concise tantrum. Good thing that this a strength for you because you certainly don’t understand anything about contracts.
A contract also defines the parameters for being a no show at work.
“I don’t know what else he can do to show he only wants to play for the Bills,”
Uh . . . maybe go ahead and play?
What a ridiculous statement. Agree with the hold-in or not, this is just one of those statements that shows these agents think the rest of us are morons.