James Cook is eligible for an extension, and his level of play over the past two years has helped his value considerably. The Pro Bowl running back will be in line for a major raise on a second Bills contract, and a financial target appears to have emerged. 
Cook pinned a post on Instagram which indicates he is seeking an average of $15MM per season on an extension. That figure would place him second in the pecking order at the running back position behind only Christian McCaffrey (whose current 49ers deal moved the top of the market to $19MM). The Bills are known to view Cook as a key member of their future, but the team also faces a number of important decisions on the extension front this offseason.
The likes of linebacker Terrel Bernard, center Connor McGovern, cornerback Christian Benford and edge rusher Gregory Rousseau are among the players who could be extended over the coming months. The latter two in particular could prove to be expensive priorities given the landscape of their respective positions. Still, authorizing a raise for Cook would be an understandable priority for Buffalo given his age and performances as the team’s lead back.
The 25-year-old split time with Devin Singletary as a rookie, but over the past two years he has handled RB1 duties. Cook racked up 1,567 scrimmage yards in 2023 en route to a Pro Bowl nod; this past season, his output dropped off in terms of yards but he was able to find the end zone much more often. After scoring six touchdowns in 2023, Cook raised that figure to 18 in 2024 (including 16 rushing scores, which tied for the league lead). Expectations will be high moving forward for the Georgia product.
On the other hand, the Bills used fourth-round rookie Ray Davis at a notable rate in 2024. Davis received 113 carries during the regular season, amassing 631 scrimmage yards and serving as a short-yardage and goal line option. If his role were to expand further in the near future, making a lucrative investment in Cook as a clear-cut lead back may not be feasible.
The running back market flatlined over a period of several years, but deals sending the likes of Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry to new teams last spring helped the position from a financial standpoint. That was of course driven in part by the weak RB draft class which was in place in 2024 (which will not be the case this year), but it will be interesting to see how the Bills approach negotiations on the Cook front. The former second-rounder is due $5.19MM in 2025, and the franchise tag looms as possibility for the following season. That could be avoided with an extension, but Cook is clearly aiming high with respect to a starting point in contract talks.
Love Cook but not at that figure. Hell not even at half of that. Considering Davis did quite well as a rookie and has shown he can clearly catch a ball. Almost should look into trading him and using that money wisely somewhere else. d end and cb are a dire need for them more so than a $15 mill per year rb.
This is the right opinion, in my opinion.
Every GM in the league is gonna use the Saquan Barkley contract against any RB wanting money. The best player at the position makes 12 and change AAV you’re not getting more.
He wasn’t the best player at the position until after he signed the contract, he reportedly turned down more, and McCaffrey and Taylor both make more than that. I still don’t think Cook is getting 15, but Barkley alone isn’t the reason.
Barkley also comes with the takeaway that you might be better off giving a top flight running back market rate than giving the same money to a so so number two receiver.
Barkley provides far better ball security than Cook who really has no value at all as a RB on 4th down or when you need those tough yards inside the red zone.
Good player but is he really worth $15M AAV when you can get a WR or a difference making pass rusher?? Decisions decisions.
Cook is important. There’s no two ways about it, but 15 is a big number. They have to do it, but Uch.
Cannot run it back assuming ray Davis gives you the production you absolutely have to have at this spot. Buffalo is a run first team. Most people don’t realize this. Have to sign him. No choice. He’s terrific.