The Buffalo Bills have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, making numerous roster moves and securing key players to long-term contracts. Among those receiving extensions were quarterback Josh Allen and cornerback Christian Benford. However, one player who was eligible for an extension but did not receive one is running back James Cook, who had been vocal about his contract expectations.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane addressed the situation, stating that the team does not plan to finalize an extension for Cook at this time. “I don’t see us getting something done anytime soon. We’re onto the draft. Just because we don’t get something done this year doesn’t mean we can’t get something done before he’s a free agent,” Beane explained.
Cook had been public about his contract demands, seeking a deal worth $15 million per year. If granted, this would make him the third-highest-paid running back in the NFL, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. Cook has proven to be a talented player, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in two of his three NFL seasons and earning Pro Bowl honors in consecutive years. In 2024, he recorded 1,009 rushing yards and led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Earlier in the offseason, Cook went on Instagram Live to announce his salary expectations. He later removed all Bills-related content from his Instagram account and unfollowed the team, signaling frustration over contract negotiations. He later appeared on NightCap with Shannon Sharpe and Ochocinco, where he reiterated his contract demands but also expressed some regret over how his actions were perceived.
“I don’t want to feel like a cancer, at all. I don’t like all that attention—that’s not me, honestly. I’m just standing on business… what I deserve. I just want what I deserve. What I asked for,” Cook stated during the interview.
Despite Cook’s contributions, it remains difficult for the Bills to justify making him one of the highest-paid running backs, particularly considering he did not finish in the top 10 for rushing yards last season. As he enters his fourth NFL season, he is still expected to be the primary running back for a Buffalo team aiming to break through and reach the Super Bowl.