James Cook had a tremendous third season with the Buffalo Bills leading them to claim the AFC East. The running back has entered the last year of his rookie deal and is looking forward to a big pay jump.
However, NFL fans are unsure whether Cook will be able to convince the Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane of a supposed $15 million per year deal.
NFL Fans Laugh off James Cook’s Heightened Salary Demands
A couple of weeks ago during his Instagram Live, the reigning rushing touchdowns co-leader pinned his comment “15 mil year”. The 25-year-old maintained the same energy during his podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
“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,” Cook said. “I want to go chase the highest of the highest and I’m going to keep doing it.”
Cook’s comments made their way onto Reddit and fans started making jokes at Cook’s expense for wanting to reset the RB market.
“$15 million a year is wild. I will hate to see him go but I know there’s no way Beane is paying him that,” responded one fan.
“Love ya Jimbo but for a guy who can’t pass block for shit and only plays 50% of the snaps, that’s comical,” commented a fan.
“Nothing wrong with wanting 15 mil per year, I also want to make 15 mil per year. The hard part is finding someone willing to pay you that much,” added a fan.
“ooooooo jimbo this aint it. hope this isnt another leveon bell situation. love jimbo and definitely deserves to get paid but thats outlandish,” added another fan.
“Why would the second best rusher on the team get league leading money?” replied one fan.
“There is a real case for the running back market to be reset, unfortunately, he ain’t the one,” one more fan commented.
Currently, the San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is the highest-paid running back in the league with an average annual salary of $19 million. If Cook gets his deal of $15 million per year, he will shoot up to the second spot.
The two-time Pro Bowler’s potential new salary will be more than that of Super Bowl-winning star Saquon Barkley. The Philadelphia Eagles RB currently earns $12.6 million per year.
While the Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor brings home $14 million per year. If Cook ends up getting his payday, that will signal a revolution for the rest of the RBs to renegotiate their deals as well.