9:10pm: McDermott confirmed after practice (via Buscaglia and colleague Janya Bardahl) today’s developments did not come with an assurance from Cook that his stance has permanently shifted. The Georgia product declined to speak to the media, so questions remain with respect to how he will proceed moving forward.

8:59am: After a brief hold-in period, James Cook is set to return to the practice field. The extension-seeking running back will suit up today, per Bills head coach Sean McDermott.

Cook attended training camp and initially took part in practices before adopting a hold-in stance. That approach continued into this past weekend, when McDermott and Co. asked the two-time Pro Bowler to play in Buffalo’s preseason opener. Cook declined, leading to renewed speculation about when and how this situation will be resolved.

While no contract agreement appears imminent, McDermott said on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg) that “things have changed” with respect to Cook. The lines of communication have remained open in this case, with general manager Brandon Beane publicly confirming the team’s desire for a long-term pact to be worked out. That may not take place until next spring, though, especially if Cook’s asking price remains steady.

The two-time Pro Bowler named $15MM per season as his target early in the negotiating process. That figure would place Cook, 25, in a tie for third at the running back spot in terms of AAV. A more realistic figure could be the $11MM in annual money which fellow 2022 draftee Kyren Williams recently landed on his Rams extension. Indeed, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini predicted on the most recent edition of the Scoop City podcast (video link) Cook’s new Bills pact will check in near Williams’ in terms of average annual value.

Much of Buffalo’s future cap commitments were arranged this offseason when quarterback Josh Allen agreed to a short-term, high-priced extension to his pact moving him in line with the top of the QB market. Afterwards, extensions with receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard, edge rusher Gregory Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford were worked out. Cook would join that quartet on a raise brought about by a second contract in the event a deal were to be struck before a potential free agent departure next spring.

McDermott cautioned (via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia) today’s development is not necessarily a sign the Cook hold-in is over for good. A day-by-day approach will continue for the time being, but Cook taking part in practice marks another twist in his ongoing attempt to land a long-term pact before Week 1.

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. 

5:00pm: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes (video link) Cook’s camp and the Bills have remained in consistent contact regarding extension talks, adding that the parties are not believed to be far apart. That makes today’s move somewhat surprising, and it remains to be seen whether the nature of negotiations will shift in the near future and whether missed regular season action becomes a real possibility.

12:43pm: Bills running back James Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is seeking a lucrative extension. However, he fully participated in Buffalo’s first training camp practice, and reports at the time indicated he would continue to do so and would not ‘hold in.’

That appears to have changed. Cook did not practice on Sunday, and when asked why, he simply replied, “business” (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). When asked if he would practice Monday, he answered, “business.” Per Getzenberg, he kept repeating the word “business” in response to follow-up questions. The team, meanwhile, indicated it has no comment on the matter, per Getzenberg.

Prior reports suggested the Bills and Cook were still discussing a new deal, although we had also heard there was little traction in negotiations since Cook’s asking price of $15MM per year became public. That AAV would place Cook in a third-place tie with Derrick Henry in the league’s running back hierarchy, and while Cook (26 in September) is over five years younger than Henry with considerably less mileage on his odometer, he does not have nearly the same track record as a game-changing talent.

Still, since taking over as the Bills’ RB1 in 2023, Cook has earned two Pro Bowl nods and has averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry across 444 totes. He has also demonstrated a nose for the end zone, recording a league-high 16 rushing touchdowns last season as part of a Buffalo offense that finished 10th in yards and second in scoring. He is therefore justified in making a big ask, and it is unclear whether his apparent new stance reflects some sort of regression in contract talks.

The Bills have busy on the extension front this offseason. The likes of Khalil Shakir, Gregory Rousseau, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard have each received lucrative second contracts keeping them in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. General manager Brandon Beane has previously suggested Cook would need to replicate his previous production from the 2024 campaign before the team makes a similar commitment to him, however. Today’s development is another sign that could be the case.

In addition to Cook, Buffalo has veteran Ty Johnson and 2024 fourth-rounder Ray Davis set to return in the backfield. The presence of those two as depth options could once again prevent Cook from handling a true three-down role this season, something which would in turn hinder his market value on a second Bills pact or one sending him to a new team.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

2025 has witnessed a pair of training camp holdouts and the attendance/participation of other extension-seeking players will remain a storyline to follow in the coming days. With respect to James Cook, things have been business as usual regarding his on-field work.

The two-time Pro Bowler participated in full during the Bills’ first training camp practice. That is expected to continue, as noted by Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic (subscription required). Earlier this month, it was unclear if a hold-in would take place, but Cook said he did not consider such a move. The former second-rounder remains focused on securing a Bills extension, although it still remains to be seen if a big-ticket deal will come from Buffalo or another team next spring.

“I mean, we have talks. I’m never going to give up,” Cook said during his first public remarks since arriving at camp. “I deserve it — what I want, what I need. It’s going to eventually happen. I mean, however it happens, it’s going to get done. Wherever it happens.”

A mutual interest still exists for an agreement to be reached allowing Cook to play on his second contract with the Bills. Since an asking price of $15MM per season became public, however, little progress has been made with respect to negotiations. One year remains on the Georgia product’s rookie contract, and a season similar to 2024 would position him for a major raise. Cook tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns last season (16) and averaged nearly 91 yards per game on the ground during the playoffs.

While the 25-year-old should be expected to remain productive for the foreseeable future, he logged a snap share of only 48% in 2024. Cook has yet to establish himself as a true three-down workhorse similar to many of the top earners at the running back spot (a position whose market currently has seven players averaging between $10MM and $20.6MM annually). The Bills still have Ray Davis and Ty Johnson in the fold, so a major increase in Cook’s 2025 workload compared to past years would come as a surprise. In any case, general manager Brandon Beane remains hopeful a deal can be struck at some point.

“As I’ve said all along, I love James Cook. You know how I am. I want to draft, develop, re-sign our own,” Beane said. “It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap… But we also have to look at ’26, ’27 and beyond… So all those things have to make sense for us to fit in him.” 

This offseason, Beane and the Bills have worked out long-term deals with Christian Benford, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Khalil Shakir. In each case, those moves ensured a departure next spring will not be possible. Cook still looms as a candidate for a multi-year pact of his own, and his situation will no doubt remain a storyline until and unless an agreement can be reached.

The Bills have not made significant headway in extension negotiations with star running back James Cook, but the team is still hoping to get a deal done before the regular season.

“I still think the door is open,” said ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on the team’s One Bills Live podcast. “Last I checked, there wasn’t a lot of progress, but there was still some optimism in the big picture that maybe they could figure something out.” 

Cook’s desire for a new contract has been one of the Bills’ main offseason storylines, especially as the team rewarded several other 2022 draftees with long-term extensions. However, those players – WR Khalil Shakir, CB Christian Benford, and LB Terrel Bernard – did not land anywhere near the top of their respective positional markets.

Cook has previously stated a desire to reach $15MM per year on his next contract, which would match Derrick Henry for the third-highest APY for a running back. Statistically, though, Cook does not appear to belong in that group. He tied Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead with 16 touchdowns last year, but his 2,131 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per carry since 2023 only rank eighth among all ballcarriers.

“He’s been ultra productive,” continued Fowler, “but the only running backs that are really getting paid at a high clip as we’re seeing is the top of the top.”

Cook skipped the Bills’ voluntary OTAs, but participated fully in mandatory minicamp last month. There, he also announced his intention to report to training camp, according to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, though he did not say if he would participate in practice or stage a ‘hold-in.’

“I don’t know, man. We’ll see when camp comes,” said Cook. Bills general manager Brandon Beane previously expressed confidence that Cook would be “ready to roll whether there’s a deal or not.”

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.

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.