Buffalo Bills News & Rumors

James Cook is still pushing for a new contract, but the Bills running back was in attendance for the first day of mandatory practices. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Cook was present at Bills minicamp today.

[RELATED: Bills, James Cook Failed To Make Progress During Extension Talks]

Cook was absent from voluntary OTAs as he continued to seek an extension. We recently heard that the two sides had indeed discussed a new deal, but they were never particularly close on finalizing an agreement. As a result, there was some speculation that the running back could skip out on the team’s mandatory minicamp. Cook also isn’t expected to stage a hold-in, as the RB told reporters that he intends to practice with his teammates (per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones).

Instead, Cook showed up, with the former second-round pick pointedly noting that he didn’t want to get fined.

“I like my money. Definitely do,” Cook said (via Jones). “So, that’s why I’m here.”

After finishing tied for the league lead in rushing TDs (16) in 2024, Cook is currently on track to play out the final season of his rookie contract in 2025. The 25-year-old is reportedly seeking a contract that would pay him around $15MM annually; that AAV would be tied with Derrick Henry for third at the position (behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey).

While the Bills appeared willing to extend the running back on their terms, it sounds like the front office is wary of handing out a contract that flirts with the top of the position. GM Brandon Beane even implied that he’s prepared to wait out the coming season before deciding on a big contract for Cook, and it seems increasingly likely that the RB will play out the 2025 season as an impending free agent. Cook wouldn’t have been the first player in this scenario to skip out on practices, and coach Sean McDermott respected the player’s decision to report.

“I credit James,” McDermott said (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). “Business is business. At the end of the day, I know he loves being around this team and the guys in the locker room and he loves to play football.

“So, I respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team and get some work in today, and we’re looking forward to that.”

As Getzenberg notes, three other members of the Bills’ 2022 rookie class have earned new deals (including wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard, and cornerback Christian Benford). As a result, Cook could naturally have some hard feelings towards the organization. Fortunately, the RB understands that it’s a business.

“I don’t look at it [as a distraction],” Cook said (via Getzenberg). “I just be where my feet are every day and just want to play football. That’s what I’m here to do.”

The Bills have worked out a number of extensions with ascending players this offseason. Running back James Cook is notably not a member of that group, and no deal appears to be imminent in his case.

That is not due to a lack of communication between team and player, however. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports Cook and the Bills engaged in extension talks earlier this offseason. He adds, though, that the parties never came particularly close to an agreement.

For several weeks, it has been clear a gap exists between the 25-year-old’s asking price and what the Bills are willing to commit on a long-term deal. Cook is currently on track to play out the final season of his rookie contract, but he has skipped voluntary workouts while continuing to seek a new pact. $15MM per year was mentioned online by the former second-rounder as the value he is aiming for, but the Bills have not been prepared to reach that price point.

General manager Brandon Beane has publicly implied Buffalo is prepared to wait out the coming season before assessing Cook’s value on a big-ticket deal. The Georgia product has only handled starting duties for the past two years, but in that span he has amassed 2,834 scrimmage yards. After rushing for only two touchdowns during each of his first two campaigns, he tied for the league lead with 16 in 2024. With totals like that and age on his side, Cook submitting an asking price near the top of the market is not entirely surprising.

On the other hand, the deals given out to the likes of Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry have come in the wake of sustained All-Pro play. Those veterans are the three backs whose deals average $15MM per year or more, with another four collecting eight figures annually on average. Cook could join one of those groups when his next contract is signed, but he may need to wait until at least some of the 2025 campaign takes place to secure a raise.

The Bills have worked out long-term deals with wideout Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford this spring. With those agreements in place – not to mention, of course, the restructure which moved Josh Allen much closer to the top of the QB position’s financial pecking order – most of the team’s offseason work has been taken care of. The Cook situation will linger into the summer if no agreement is reached, and in the absence of a successful second round of negotiations it appears that will be the case.