As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, James Cook is seeking a long-term extension that aligns him with the league’s top running backs. Thus far, the Buffalo Bills have been unwilling to meet his contract demands.
With Cook and the team refusing to compromise, this impasse is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. In a conversation with Ty Schmit of The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the situation in Buffalo should be monitored.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter Gives Concerning Update on Buffalo Bills Running Back James Cook
According to Schefter, Cook is reportedly unhappy with his contractual situation and has “basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city.” He has even put his house on the market while awaiting a final resolution with the Bills.
“I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon,” Schefter said. The long-time ESPN insider referred to the start of training camp as “the next critical moment” if no deal is in place, noting the fines associated with holding out.
“Does Cook show up for training camp?,” Schefter asked. “Does he risk the penalties that come along in the Collective Bargaining Agreement if he doesn’t show up? We’ve seen the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason reward Saquon Barkley. We’ve seen the Baltimore Ravens reward Derrick Henry. We have not seen the Bills pay Cook yet.”
While Cook is “a valuable member of that offense,” Schefter doesn’t believe a deal is close between the two sides. That could change as training camp approaches, but a potentially messy situation is brewing in Buffalo.
Cook Looking for Increase on Current $5.142 Million Base Salary
After playing collegiately at Georgia, Cook was drafted by the Bills in the second round (No. 63 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $5.83 million contract with $2.39 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $1.45 million.
According to Spotrac, “In 2025, Cook will earn a base salary of $5,271,000 and a workout bonus of $75,000 while carrying a cap hit of $5,701,374 and a dead cap value of $355,374.”
To his credit, Cook has significantly outperformed his contract. He has 1,000+ rushing yards in consecutive seasons and scored a league-high 16 touchdowns on the ground last season.
It’s clear why the running back is seeking a pay raise, but it’s also understandable that the team is hesitant to offer him $15 million per season. The Bills have never viewed Cook as a high-volume back, so it doesn’t make sense for them to pay him as if he were one.