In order to win in the NFL, your team has to have talent. There’s no debate about it. Even if you have a superstar quarterback, just like the Buffalo Bills, you still need to have valuable weapons around him and just an abover-average defense to be a true Super Bowl contender.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the prime example of this setup this entire decade. They may not have the best players at every position, but they sure do get the best production out of them.
Ever since the end of their season, the Bills have found themselves in the middle of an ongoing contract drama situation involving running back James Cook. Now granted, I’m sure we would prefer for this business to be handled in-house and not publicly, but it’s public knowledge and it’s going to be until a decision has been made about Cook’s future in Buffalo.
Cook is wanting to get paid big time by the Bills. Specifically, he’s demanding $15 million per year and he is not backing down. His demands have caused a major debate amongst Bills Mafia on whether or not Cook deserves to get paid, or let him walk after 2025.
He’s under contract for one more year of his rookie deal, but then the talks will get even bigger if nothing happens now until the start of next season. Brandon Beane and the Bills need to do whatever it takes to make their star running back happy and give him what he deserves.
3 reasons why Bills must do whatever it takes to keep James Cook happy
1.) Running back market was changed in 2024
There were three big-time backs who joined a new team last offseason. Josh Jacobs joined the Green Bay Packers. Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens, and then Saquon Barkley stayed within the NFC East to join the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
All three of these running backs obviously didn’t get top of the market value, but they all served as a huge factor in their team’s success. Not to mention, all three of their previous teams (Raiders, TItans, Giants), all suffered in 2024 and took a major step backward within their organizations.
The running back market was ruined at one point with players like Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott getting paid early. Teams were very hesitant to pay their backs. We now have three examples of what could happen if a team decides to play it safe and let their star backs test the market.
2.) Production is beyond impressive
Say what you want about Cook not being a third-down back, he still averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2024 and rushed for 1,000+ yards for a second consecutive season. Oh, that’s right, he also was tied for the most rushing touchdowns (16) and he had 20+ total touchdowns in the regular season and playoffs combined.
Cook is the best back the Bills have had since LeSean McCoy and it’s not close whatsoever. No offence to Devin Singletary, but teams didn’t need to put in a gameplan to stop him. They have to when it comes to Cook.
3.) No other big time player outside of Josh Allen on offense
The current MVP of the NFL is one of those players that you have to figure out how to stop every week. No matter who the team is, every head coach and defensive coordinator knows that when they have to face #17 from the Bills, they are in for a long day. However, after Allen, who else is on Buffalo’s offense is a threat? That’s right, it’s James Cook.
After Cook, who do the Bills have? Sure, Khalil Shakir is a reliable target who doesn’t drop many passes but he’s not a big time player that opposing teams fear. Instead, Cook is the guy in the backfield that can catch passes out of the backfield as well as carry the rock for 3-5 yards.
While it’s tough to figure out how to contain, let alone stop Allen, it’s not impossible. The Bills need someone else that can implement fear into an opposing defense. If they lose Cook and don’t bring in another star weapon, then their offense because limited.