The 2025 season was a mixed-emotion season for the Buffalo Bills. They undoubtedly had success, but it wasn’t what they were used to since 2020. Ever since 2020, the Bills were the ones who came out as AFC East champions at the end of the regular season…up until last season.
The New England Patriots took it away from the Bills and it sent the Bills on the road for the playoffs. Buffalo eventually lost in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos in overtime, which eventually ended the tenure for Sean McDermott.
Even though it was an up-and-down season, one positive takeaway was the rushing attack that Buffalo established through James Cook and the run game. The Bills were the best rushing team in the league that featured Cook leading the league with 1,621 yards and adding 12 touchdowns on the ground.
In the regular season, Cook rushed for over 100 yards in nine games and he also hit the century mark against the Broncos in the playoffs.
Behind Cook was Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, where both of them rushed for 200+ yards each. So, it’s safe to say that Buffalo has one of the best running back rooms in the league. However, not everyone thinks that they are in the top five.
Bills' running back room left out of exclusive top five list
Alex Kay from Bleacher Report recently put together a top five list of the best running back rooms which features notable running backs switching teams. The Bills were listed as honorable mentions along with the Lions and Seahawks. The top five that were listed were the Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs, Falcons, and Rams. What?!
Here is a bit on what Kay said about the Bills:
"Cook has been one of the game's premier backfield weapons for three straight years, topping 1,000 yards on the ground and earning Pro Bowl nods in each of those seasons. He's likely to continue that streak in 2026 with the Bills keeping their platoon together for another run. Ty Johnson and Ray Davis remain the depth options, although neither figures to see significant action without Cook suffering an injury or his fumbling issues—he did put the ball on the ground six times last year—growing far worse." said Kay.
I get it, losing the fumble is never a fun sight to see but it’s really hard to understand why the Bills, who have the league’s leading rusher, don't make the top five. Yet, both the Saints and Chiefs who added running backs all of a sudden become a team that has one of the best running back rooms in the league.
The whole point of a running back room is to factor in every player, not just one. It’s very confusing how the Bills are no higher than an honorable mention. There were times last season where the rushing attack was the reason why the Bills won games.
With the same player returning for 2026 under the same playcaller in Joe Brady, that gives them a massive advantage compared to some of these other teams who are ranked higher than the Bills.