Most of the offseason with the Buffalo Bills has been about building up their defense and going through a contract dispute with running back James Cook. For what seems like forever now, Cook has been very vocal about wanting atleast $15 million per year from the Bills. Just like any other star player, Cook is telling his team that he wants to get paid, but Brandon Beane has made it clear that the two sides are nowhere near a deal.
The good news is that Cook has said he plans on being at training camp and has made it clear he wants to help the Bills win a Super Bowl. However, the contract dispute will still be there. Now the hope is that the business can stay within the building rather than in the eyes of the public. It might be too late, though.
As we enter the 2025 season, Bills fans should be keeping a close eye on the production that Cook shows as it could heavily determine whether or not he gets an extension at some point. While I don’t believe that he and the Bills will get an extension done prior to Week 1, anything is possible.
Can James Cook do enough to get an extension with Bills?
Over the last two seasons, Cook has become one of the better backs in the NFL. He has rushed for back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons and had 18 total touchdowns last year. He’s the best offensive player not named Josh Allen for the Bills and going into a contract year, don’t think for a second that he won’t become an All-Pro.
Barring an injury, I really do believe that Cook will become an All-Pro player for the Bills and while that will be exciting for fans, it will make it even more difficult for the Bills to re-sign because if he’s asking for $15 million now, just wait until the price potentially goes up.
Going into this coming season, I am predicting that Cook has his best season yet but that he unfortunately does to re-sign with the Bills and another team pays him the big bucks to leave Buffalo.