Tag: James Cook
Reports: Bills RB James Cook agrees to 4-year, $48M extension
Two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook and the Buffalo Bills reached agreement on a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday morning.
The deal makes Cook the seventh highest-paid running back in the NFL based on new money per season.
The news comes one day after Cook opted to participate in practice for the first time since he informed the team of plans to sit out as part of a “business” decision tied to his expiring contract.
“James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill,” Cook’s agent Zac Hiller said, per ESPN. “We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen.”
Head coach Sean McDermott noted before Tuesday’s morning practice that things had changed with the Cook-Bills situation, but didn’t elaborate or provide context to his statement.
Cook, 25, had 16 rushing touchdowns and scored in 12 of the Bills’ 17 regular-season games in 2024.
He has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven scores in 49 games since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
Cook dressed but did not play in the preseason opener last week, a 34-25 loss to the New York Giants. In his absence, the Bills turned to Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Frank Gore Jr. put up 50 receiving yards on a team-best five receptions and had 21 rushing yards.
–Field Level Media
Bills RB James Cook takes field as coach claims ‘things have changed’
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is participating in practice on Tuesday for the first time since he informed the team of plans to sit out as part of a “business” decision tied to his expiring contract.
Head coach Sean McDermott noted before Tuesday’s morning practice that things had changed with the Cook-Bills situation, but didn’t elaborate or provide context to his statement.
“I would say so that things have changed,” McDermott said before the team took the field. “And yes, we have had conversations with James. Good conversations, as I’ve mentioned before. The information that we’re getting is that he is moving in the direction of practicing today. We’ll see in a few minutes here, but that’s the information that we’ve got.”
General manager Brandon Beane said as the Bills began training camp that Cook’s “hold in” approach was “not something we want.”
Cook said July 24 he’d welcome a new contract “wherever it happens,” implying he’s ready to relocate if the Bills don’t meet his purported contract demands of around $15 million per season. Beane said while Cook has made it clear he loves the team and the feeling is mutual, the financial picture might not match expectations of Cook’s camp.
Cook, 25, had 16 rushing touchdowns and scored in 12 of the Bills’ 17 regular-season games in 2024.
Cook dressed but did not play in the preseason opener last week. In his absence, the Bills turned to Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Frank Gore Jr. put up 50 receiving yards on a team-best five receptions and had 21 rushing yards.
Quarterback Josh Allen, who didn’t play against the Giants last week, said he “desperately” wants Cook to return to the field but was complimentary of the fill-in running backs.
“I mean, guys going out, it’s no different than (wide receiver) Khalil (Shakir) being out with an ankle,” Allen said. “Guys are stepping up, making plays, and it was good for Ray [Davis] to get some of these reps and getting on the same page with Ty (Johnson) again, just gives them a couple more opportunities. But James is who he is and he’s one of the best running backs in the league and you’d be crazy not to say we don’t want him out there. We desperately want him out there with us and hopefully something can get done.”
–Field Level Media
Bills’ Josh Allen on James Cook: ‘We desperately want him out there’
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he wants the best for James Cook while the star running back seeks a new contract.
So while Cook sits idly by in the midst of an effective “hold-in” at training camp, Allen told reporters that the running back is missed on the field while the team prepares for the upcoming season.
“James is who he is,” Allen said. “He’s one of the best running backs in the league. It would be crazy not to say we want him out there. We desperately want him out there with us and hopefully something can get done.”
Entering the final year of his contract, Cook set a franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 16 in 2024. He has 2,638 rushing yards since the Bills drafted him in 2022.
Cook, 25, is entering the last year of a rookie contract that is worth a total of $5.8 million.
“At the end of the day, there is this huge business piece to this game,” Allen said. “It’s the hardest part. A lot of people don’t understand it. … This is generational stuff. It’s wealth for you and your family. It’s not a small chunk of change.
“He’s making sure that he’s healthy and still going through the mental reps. He’s still doing that. He’s a pro and he knows what he’s doing.”
Cook has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven scores in 49 games since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
–Field Level Media
Bills RB James Cook on not practicing Sunday: “Business”
With his contract dispute ongoing, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook showed up for Sunday’s mandatory practice but did not participate. Instead, the 25-year-old stood off to the side and spent a short amount of time on an exercise bike.
After practice, when asked why he did not participate, Cook offered just three words: “Oh, nothing. Business.”
Sunday marked the first time Cook did not participate since requesting a contract extension during the offseason. The two-time Pro Bowler, who shared the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns last season, wants to become one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL.
Cook also was asked whether he was holding out or planning to suit up for Monday’s practice.
Again, Cook kept his response short: “Business.”
The Bills provided no comment on Cook, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. Cook — who did not attend Buffalo’s voluntary offseason team activities but did participate in the mandatory three-day minicamp as well as the first eight practices of training camp — was not on the team’s list of injured players leading up to Sunday’s practice.
Entering his fourth year in the league, Cook has put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. His 2,638 rushing yards are the most among his peers in the 2022 draft class. Yet he is not on the list of Bills’ 2022 draftees — wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford — who have been rewarded with extensions. The Bills traded their first-round pick from that season, cornerback Kaiir Elam, to the Dallas Cowboys in March.
“Sometimes you can’t get on the same page or sometimes you’re trying to fit it in,” Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane told reporters at the start of camp. “There’s times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn’t make it work.
“But I can tell you, I’m hopeful, when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp, that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue.”
–FIeld Level Media
Check please: Bills RB James Cook confident payday is ‘going to get done’
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook can carry the “check, please” approach through training camp because of his confidence level a big payday is coming soon.
“I mean, however it happens, it’s going to get done. Wherever it happens at,” Cook said Thursday after participating in the first two days of workouts, opting not to hold out while working toward a contract extension.
“We have talks. … I mean, I deserve what I want, I need and it’s going to eventually happen,” Cook said.
Entering the final year of his contract, the 25-year-old Cook set a franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 16 in 2024. He has 2,638 rushing yards since the Bills drafted him in 2022.
General manager Brandon Beane said the Bills want to be a team that drafts, develops and rewards homegrown talent. But the financial factor is ever-present.
“Sometimes you can’t get on the same page or sometimes you’re trying to fit it in,” Beane said. “There’s times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn’t make it work. But I can tell you, I’m hopeful, when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue.”
Cook said he owes only himself, family and teammates. But he reported and is participating in camp out of that obligation and to remind teammates he is ready to go.
“It’s my job,” Cook said. “I got to participate so I won’t get fined and just come out here and just show them that I’m ready to go and earn what I got to go get.”
Cook would be subject to daily fines for not reporting because he’s under contract. He said “I like my money” when asked if the fines were a holdout deterrent.
Asked again Thursday about his Instagram live post underscoring his reference to a price tag of “15 mill (per) year,” Cook said he had no regrets about pinning that figure on social media.
“James is a competitive dude. He’s a stud. He is a great teammate. He wants to be here,” Beane said. “James fits Buffalo. But sometimes you can’t get on the same page.”
–Field Level Media
Report: Bills RB James Cook to attend training camp
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook plans to report to training camp while seeking a new contract from the team, NFL Network reported Tuesday.
Cook, who is seeking a deal worth at least $15 million per season, is set to make $5.271 million in base salary in the fourth and final year of his rookie deal in 2025. He would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if he doesn’t get a new deal with Buffalo.
Cook did not attend the voluntary portions of Buffalo’s offseason program, however he was there for minicamp.
Cook, 25, made the Pro Bowl and rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight season in 2024, leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns.
He has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 TDs and caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven scores in 49 games since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
–Field Level Media
Bills RB James Cook absent from voluntary workouts
The Buffalo Bills opened up their first week of their voluntary offseason workouts with one notable piece missing: starting running back James Cook.
Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane noted that Cook was absent from the team workouts, although Beane emphasized that, when it comes to this week, “It’s voluntary.” Beane cautioned to assume that Cook was absent due to contract talks.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Cook has seen three teammates from his 2022 draft class earn four-year contract extension this offseason: wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford.
“Try not to look too far into it,” Beane said. “We could all assume he’s not here because he’s unhappy with his contract or whatever, but that’s not fair. He hasn’t told me that. No one’s told me that he said that, but I think that’s kind of unfair to say he’s not here because of that.”
The 25-year-old Cook posted his second straight 1,000-yard season a year ago while also tying the franchise record with 16 rushing touchdowns. In three seasons, Cook has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 TDs.
Cook has publicly stated his desire to lock up a new contract. In February, he took to Instagram Live and pinned the comment “15 mill year” to the top of the feed, no doubt referring to his asking price of $15 million per year. That would make him the third-highest-paid running back behind Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey ($19 million).
–Field Level Media
Bills end contract talks with RB James Cook
The Buffalo Bills have halted contract talks with running back James Cook, who is seeking an extension worth $15 million per season.
“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,” general manager Brandon Beane said at the NFL league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
A deal for $15 million per season would rank Cook third among NFL running backs behind the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million per season) and the San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey ($19 million).
Cook is due to make $5.3 million in the fourth and final season of his rookie deal in 2025. He would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if he doesn’t get a new deal with Buffalo.
Cook, 25, made the Pro Bowl and rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight season in 2024, leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns.
He has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 TDs and caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven scores in 49 games since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
–Field Level Media
Bills RB James Cook shares contract wish: $15M a year
James Cook has given an inkling about the figure he wants in his next contract: $15 million.
The Buffalo Bills running back appeared on Instagram Live on Wednesday, then added his own comment that simply said “15 mill year.”
Cook, 25, selected in the second round (No. 63 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Bills. He signed a four-year, $5.83 million contract and is entering the final season.
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers is the NFL’s highest-paid running back in terms of average annual value at $19 million, with Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts second at $14 million.
Per Spotrac, Cook stands No. 48 on the list of average salary by running backs.
In 16 games in the 2024 regular season, Cook rushed for 1,009 yards with 16 touchdowns, putting him No. 16 in the league in yards gained. He caught 32 passes for 258 yards and two more scores. He added 272 yards and three TDs in three playoff games.
For his career, Cook has gained 2,638 yards (average 4.9 yards per carry) and scored 20 touchdowns in 49 games (29 starts).
–Field Level Media