Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has become one of the best in the NFL and is the second best offensive player for the Bills behind Josh Allen. Drafted in 2022, Cook has become the best back the Bills have had since LeSean McCoy from 2015-2018. He was a steal for the Bills in the second round that draft year with rushing for 1,000+ yards the last two seasons and tied for the most rushing touchdowns as well.
While Cook has provided a lot of great memories for the Bills and fans, this past offseason was not one of them. He is looking for a great payday of atleast $15 million per year as he enters his last year of his rookie contract. He has not backed down from his demands and as of right now, it doesn’t seem like the Bills and Cook are close to a potential contract extension.
The good news is that Cook plans on being at training camp as he reported to mandatory minicamp and stated that he plans on being with the team to help win a Super Bowl. However, this could be the last season that Cook has as a member of the Bills. Until we get more answers, all we can focus is on is how the Bills are an even better team with Cook in the backfield.
James Cook viewed as one the best RBs going into 2025 season
Former All-Pro running back and current NFL analyst Maurice Jones-Drew of NFL.com recently ranked running backs heading into the 2025 season (#1-#32) and Cook got a higher ranking at No. 11 which shows that Jones-Drew believes that Cook is very close to being a top ten running back. Here’s a bit on what Jones-Drew said about Cook:
"Cook scored 18 touchdowns last season, earning his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl and proving he's an essential part of the offense's success."Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com
Jones-Drew also said that while there is a chance that Cook could hold out if an extension doesn’t happen, he is “operating as if he will be on the field.” Cook deserves to be a little bit higher considering the fact that he isn’t just productive, but he is putting up numbers without being a third-down back. Not only did he rush for over 1,000 yards again, but he did it averaging 4.9 yards on the ground.
He is one of the best backs in the league and it’s too bad that the attention on him is about a potential contract extension, instead of the great playmaker that he has become the last two seasons.