Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has reported to training camp, but he still believes that he deserves a contract extension.
James Cook Talks Contract Extension
James Cook: We have talked. I’m never going to give up. I deserve what I want and need and it’s going to eventually happen. @agetzenberg follow up: are you confident it’ll happen here in Buffalo?
Cook: I mean however it happens it’s going to get done. Wherever it happens at. pic.twitter.com/MlCMvzflsL
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) July 24, 2025
Cook has been open about wanting a new contract. The talented running back has spent the entire offseason lobbying for a new deal.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Cook is scheduled to make a base salary of $5.3 million in 2025. However, Cook believes his production has warranted a pay increase.
Cook and the Bills have talked about a new contract. However, no deal has been reached. Still, Cook remains undeterred in his attempts to land an extension and trusts that it will get done.
“I mean, we have talks. I’m never going to give up,” Cook said Thursday via Matthew Bove. “I mean, I deserve it — what I want, what I need. It’s going to eventually happen.”
Many players in Cook’s situation would have opted to hold out of training camp or show up and hold in. Cook has chosen option C — show up and practice.
Part of the reason why Cook is at Bills training camp stems from the financial ramifications of holding out. Cook is still on his rookie deal. Teams can fine a player $50,000 for each day they hold out. With a $5.2 million salary, Cook could forfeit a solid portion of his salary.
“It’s my job,” Cook said about showing up to training camp. “I got to participate, so I won’t get fined, and just come out here and just show them that I’m ready to go and earn what I got to go get.”
How much does Cook want to earn annually? The answer is $15 million. Cook pinned that message on an Instagram Live earlier this offseason.
Only three running backs make at least $15 million per year (via OverTheCap): Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million), San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey ($19 million), and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry ($15 million).
Cook has certainly earned a raise. Cook was tied for the league high in rushing touchdowns (16) to go along with 1,009 rushing yards. Cook also hauled in 32 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
"Come out here and show them I'm ready to go and earn what I gotta go get."
-James Cook on participating in training camp.#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus https://t.co/ysXYnRyVDT pic.twitter.com/kF9XEf238t
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) July 24, 2025
Do The Buffalo Bills Want To Sign James Cook To An Extension?
We’re live with Brandon Beane as he meets with the media at training camp.#BillsCamp | #BillsMafia https://t.co/cgZlRPn6C8
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 23, 2025
The Bills’ front office has been saying the right things about Cook — they like him and want to sign him.
However, Bills general manager Brandon Beane made interesting comments on Wednesday that suggest 2025 could be Cook’s last year in Buffalo.
“As I’ve said all along, I love James Cook. You know how I am. I want to draft, develop, re-sign our own,” Beane said Wednesday via Bills’ social media. “It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap, and sometimes, you can look at it and say, ‘Well, you know, you go to this website or whatever, they could fit him in if they did this and this.’ But we also have to look at ’26, ’27 and beyond, because you can walk yourself into one of those years where you’re like, ‘Oh man, there’s not a lot of guys, we can take them out here.’ We would have to trade or cut someone that we wouldn’t want to lose. … So all those things have to make sense for us to fit in him.”
At this point in the process, it would be surprising for Cook to get an extension before Week 1.
