The Bills have placed extension negotiations with James Cook on hold until after the draft with the star running back seeking $15MM per year on his next deal.
Initial contract talks with Cook “didn’t go great,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but the Bills want to sign him to a long-term deal.
“He’ll play for the Bills next year,” said Rapoport, indicating that Cook is not planning to demand a trade or hold out for an extension.
Cook recently caused a stir by putting his Buffalo house on the market and removing the team from his social media, a signal that he is dissatisfied with the lack of progress in contract negotiations.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but players know it gets reported,” explained Rapoport. “That’s a pretty big statement.”
Rapoport also indicated that the two sides would need to improve their relationship before agreeing on an extension, saying that Cook’s public contract demands were not “the most welcome thing in the organization.”
A $15MM APY would make Cook the third-highest paid running back in the NFL. He ranks ninth in rushing yards in the last two years and tied for the league-lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
The Bills are not expected to agree on terms with Cook anytime soon, per Rapoport. His asking price may become more palatable heading into 2026 after another jump in the salary cap, though he could certainly increase his demands accordingly. The two sides will need to bridge what appears to be a significant gap in negotiations, which could take on another shape depending on Cook’s performance next season.
Buffalo needs to pay him.
They are waiting to see if they end up with a running back that they like before they do.
I thought so at first, but as a bills fan living in the 716 I can tell you that the general feeling around here is that they shouldn’t at that level. He’s terrific, the bills have control over him for 2 more years with the franchise tag… I hate to say it, sucks to be a RB. They get used up before they get a real crack at a long term deal. It’s too bad. Like I said, he’s terrific, but he’s not Saquon.
Two things are against Cook.
First he made the cardinal sin of trying to negotiate in social media vs being professional. Beane hates that tactic and he has shown that by negotiating 5 other extensions when the players remained professional
Second the consistency of production has not been there. Without a doubt last year was spectacular but remember that was with a “rebuilding” in the WR room so they leaned heavier on him. He was part of a 3 headed running group who kept defending opponents from keying directly on Cook
If he was responsible with a 10-11 million request we are not having this conversation
A player using social media to negotiate is being unprofessional yet it’s professional for a team to leak information to the media about a player that will strengthen their own position? I’m not buying that for a second. Both the Bills and Cook are going to do some posturing here and in the end he will get a decent payday (especially if Josh Allen steps up to support him).
Cook leaked the $15 million number, not the Bills. Beane doesn’t negotiate in the media.
I’m just speaking in general terms. Some negotiations get personal and professionalism by all concerned goes right out the window. The Bills did everything they could to assassinate Diggs character before trading him so maybe they peg Cook as a player with a “bad attitude” if things get nasty.
He’s not even a 15 million man
Not at $15 million. He’s earned more than $10M, but not Saquon level as a two-down back.
Saquon makes $20 million per year now.
He was only at $15 million because of the injury history.
$15 million is not Saquon level. It’s a tier below.
I’d argue Gibbs and Bijan Robinson will both likely get paid close to $20 million.
Cook’s value is $15 million per if they’re getting 20+ million per.
More likley, the Bills will save that $15 million and draft his replacement and then let him find his true value on the market in 2026 (most likley playing for a non-contender). He’s replaceable.
Gibbs is better than Cook by a healthy margin.
His thousand yard season still only left him ranked ninth in the league in rushing yards. If they made him the 9th highest paid RB, that spot is at $9.125 million. If they paid him $15 million, he would be the third highest paid running back. He only had four games with 100+ rushing yards in 2024, and he had seven games with an average of less than four yards per carry. Maybe he’ll do like Josh Jacobs & break out in year four, but so far I don’t think he’s worth that kind of money. The 2025 draft’s running back class is loaded, I think they should just draft another one.
The 1000 yard season doesn’t mean as much now either. With a 17 game season it can be achieved a lot easier. The other numbers as you mentioned need to be looked at. He is a great back but 15 million..wow.
And isn’t an every down back either.
Im not sure I want to pay any RB.
The draft pick comp would be low too. Id let him walk next year. The potential comp pick would probably be higher than anything in trade.
The only reason he’d be third highest is because other players haven’t been extended yet and because guys like Taylor got low balled due to injury history and Henry got low balled due to age. Josh Jacobs as well given his level of production over his career.
He won’t be the third highest paid.
Star? He had a big season touchdown wise but i wouldn’t call him a star or justify making him one of the top paid backs in the league.
Agree. He’s somewhere in the top ten, but not top three. JA made sure he got more TDs to tie the record, but any of the Bills’ RBs (or Josh) could have scored the last five. In hind sight, bumping up his numbers fed his ego and could cost him a slot on a playoff team. He’ll be trade bait if they draft another RB.
I definitely would call him a star.
Maybe not as explosive as Bijan and Gibbs but few are.
Good, not great. That doesn’t make him a star…
Excellent back. Pay him. Comes up big in big games too.
Cook talked his way out of town
Who was on the field for the potential gw drive against KC – the most important drive of the year?
It was not James Cook.
So tell me again why he should get 15 million when he isn’t trusted on 3rd downs or the most important drive?
You don’t keep your superbowl window open by not observing value.