Earlier this month, James Cook hinted at an asking price of $15MM per season on an extension. The Bills’ top running back has since spoken about his extension situation. 
“I just feel like we’re deserving of it. Like, why not? We work all of our life to get paid. Feed me the big bucks,” the former second-rounder said during an appearance on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson (video link). “I’m going to stand on what I stand on.
“And I don’t want to feel like a cancer at all. Because I don’t like all that attention and all that… I just want to get what I deserve. That’s all. I just want to get what I ask for.”
Christian McCaffrey leads the way in terms of annual average value at the running back spot at $19MM per season. Four other backs currently have an AAV of $12MM or more, with Jonathan Taylor currently sitting second in the position’s pecking order ($14MM). Cook’s target would supplant him as the No. 2 backfield earner in the league if he were to hit it on a long-term pact. One year remains on the Georgia product’s rookie deal, but the Bills could attain long-term certainty in the backfield with a lucrative Cook commitment.
After a rookie campaign which featured only 89 carries, Buffalo has leaned on Cook with over 200 attempts each of the past two seasons. The 25-year-old recorded over 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2023 and then tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (16) this past campaign. With 883 yards and seven scores in the passing game to date, Cook figures to be a prominent two-way producer for years to come.
Of course, that does not mean Buffalo will be willing to make him one of the league’s highest earners at the running back spot. The team used a fourth-round pick on Ray Davis last April, and the Kentucky product (along with quarterback Josh Allen, of course) represents a short-yardage option for 2025 and beyond. It will be interesting to see if the Bills take that into account as a potential mitigating factor in Cook’s asking price.
If contract talks take place in the near future, a lack of progress could leave the door open to a holdout during the spring and/or missed on-field work in training camp. Plenty of time exists before such a scenario could come into play, though, and if negotiations take place soon clarity on where things between team and player stand could emerge.
What do you think he fetches in trade?
Cause Im not paying a RB.
But why would anyone trade for a RB, and then pay him?
I think Cook’s important, but I’m also astounded he’s taken this very public approach to negotiating. He’s been so quiet since he joined the team. He might not be the guy I hoped he was. That said…
We’re a run first team now. That’s also the trend around the league. He’s not worth 15 mill, but I’ll sign up for 3 years at 11 per. Ray Davis isn’t Cook. He just isn’t.
Ill draft his replacement and reinforce the WR group before I pay a RB.
Its the most replaceable part of an offense and nobody is more dependent on the OL.
If we get a pick – let him go. As good as he is, he isn’t an elite guy. He isn’t even an every down back.
Ty Johnson was on the field ahead of him in the most important drive if the year.
This is not meant to be a hate Cook post – its not. Its a post calling attention to value.
I love Ty Johnson. That’s such a tough call on Cook. So just let him play out his contract and grouse? Maybe tag him and get one more year out of him?
I’m ok if they don’t extend him. I agree, they should put all that money into the defense this offseason… Let him earn elite money one more year… fine. I just don’t want a malcontent next season. That would be a terrible way to go into the new year, getting a disgruntled guy. The contract drama was awful in cincy with their guys.
Agree.
The team went really far out if their way to divest Diggs too. And they made a big deal about “everyone truly loving each other” They wont mess that up.
Well, yes, you need Cook, and he’s certainly earned 12 million per. However, it’s not about what he’s earned, it’s about what the team can afford. They need reinforcement at a few places-WR especially. Each high end starter at another spot is going to want to get highly paid, too. Is Cook going to do enough to replace all of those guys? I have no animosity (as an outside observer, of course) towards Cook, nor do I hold it against him, as he seems like a hard worker.
However, the numbers just won’t work. Buffalo doesn’t just need James Cook; they need a few players. Cook can choose to stay and make another run at a lower rate, or the Bills will have to hope to replace him. It may be more difficult than many players, but it son’t be impossible. Improving the line (which was good as a unit, but always could use improvement and reinforcements in the wings in case of injury) could double as a way to improve the run and pass game, and could be a worthwhile use for the excess money that may have gone to Cook instead. The Bills might lose a bit at that spot without Cook, but they could gain in other areas to compensate.
Realistically he is just not getting 15M lol
Cook went from 4th in rushing in 2023 to 16th in rushing last season, so naturally that demands a huge salary spike…lol.
He also scored 16 rushing tds and his ypa were excellent. He’s a top 5-7 back in the league.
After saquan,top anything means not much.
In regards to the Saquon comment-while I see your point, I wouldn’t yet forget about Derek Henry.
Josh Jacobs entered the chat
To be fair to Cook he played on a team with two pretty decent secondary options and a QB that eats up a lot of rushing yards.
Bills fans love Cook, but we also realize he’s playing behind one of the top lines in the league and the team needs to invest heavily in your defensive players in 2025. RB isn’t a top concern for most teams, so good luck getting $15M a year anywhere else (even Saquon isn’t making that).
Saquon is also drastically underpaid.
I’m not paying 15 per, but I’m also very much hoping to keep him in house. He was their mvp in the playoffs, not Josh. He was amazing down the stretch and I don’t think you can just plug someone in and think you’re getting the same production, regardless of the line. Ray Davis ran behind the same line and averaged almost a full yard less per carry.
Ray Davis never had time to get in a rythym being used primarily as a third-down back. Cook’s rookie season was very similar. If you think he was the MVP, you must have been watching the wrong games. Thurman’s average day was better than Cook’s best days.
Cook averaged almost 6 yards a carry his rookie year. What are you talking about? Cook was great down the stretch. Obviously Josh is the mvp. But cook carried the load through mid December until January.
And no one is comparing him to Thurman. Wtf? Thurman is a hall of famer and was league mvp.
Cook is very good, however I don’t think he should be paid as the second highest earning RB in the league. Sure it’s a new market and it would likely be surpassed soon, but he’s not the guy to do it. I’d give him the Barkley contract. He’s not as good as him but you reward him based on the youth.
I could see a 3 year deal…13 million, 12.5 million and 12 million with incentives but also some games played minimum that voids out 1/2 a million per season
“I just want what I asked for” don’t we all..