The Buffalo Bills kicked off Friday morning with the news of them extending star linebacker Terrel Bernard to a four-year deal with $50 million. This contract extension is the second one for a member of the 2022 draft class for Buffalo. Wideout Khalil Shakir got his contract extension before Bernard.
Now that just leaves two players from that same draft class who deserve big paydays but haven’t gotten them yet. Cornerback Christian Benford was a diamond in the rough that Brandon Beane drafted and he has become easily Buffalo’s number one corner. Knowing that Beane and Sean McDermott like to keep defensive players, maybe Benford is the next one to get his extension.
However, the other star player that has been making it clear of what he wants as far as money is running back James Cook. Since the end of the season, Cook has been making it public knowledge that he wants to get near-top value money from Buffalo at $15 million per year.
With averaging 4.9 cards per carry last season and have back-to-back 1,000+ rushing yard seasons, Cook is definitely worthy of getting paid. However, his public comments have caused a heated discussion on what the Bills should do. Do they give him top-three money at a position that is considered devalued? Or do they explore another option at the running back position? Only time will tell.
NFL expert Kyle Brandt is in full support of James Cook getting paid
Kyle Brandt from Good Morning Football has been called an honorary Bills fan due to his passion that he has for the Bills and their fanbase. When the Bills went on their 2020 magical run all the way to the AFC championship game, Brandt was the leader of Bills Mafia that season. Since then, he has still kept true to his word about being in support of the Bills.
After he was the one that broke the news of the Bills extending Terrel Bernard, Brandt then went to X to post his support of the Bills paying James Cook.
Now time to handle JC.
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) March 7, 2025
I wear this in support of No.4 pic.twitter.com/a1UiUQlUT3
General manager Brandon Beane will have to make a tough decision on Cook. He has become very valuable to the offense and he was tied for the most rushing touchdowns in 2024 along with Jahmyr Gibbs and Derrick Henry. At the same time, paying a running back upwards of $15 million can really limit where you also invest on the roster.
Up until last season with the help of Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Saquon Barkley, the running back market was looked at as a joke. No one wanted to pay them and with all these three listed above providing major impacts with their new respective teams, it changes the market and Cook is at the right place at the right time to be demanding high money.
Bills fans should look to stay tuned to find out what develops more in the James Cook situation and whether or not 2025 could be his last season in Buffalo.