The James Cook contract situation in Buffalo has taken a surprising turn, as the Bills’ running back skipped practice for the second straight day. Bills general manager Brandon Beane addressed Cook’s hold-in and what it means going forward.
Bill GM Brandon Beane Talks James Cook Contract
James Cook sat out practice again on Monday due to his contract situation. Without him, Ray Davis is stepping into lead role in the backfield. What he said about that, plus Brandon Beane on Cook, and an injury update: https://t.co/o1OGXUGUT5 via @WGR550
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) August 4, 2025
Despite his desire for a contract extension, Cook reported to training camp to practice with the team. All had been going well until Sunday, when Cook skipped his first mandatory practice.
Cook then missed his second consecutive practice on Monday. The running back walked onto the field in street clothes instead of his pads.
When reporters asked why he didn’t practice, Cook told ESPN that it’s a “business” decision.
Beane appeared on The Jeremy & Joe Show on WGR 550 on Monday morning and discussed Cook’s decision to hold in. Despite his disappointment in the hold-in, Beane revealed that the organization will “deal with it” in the best way that they can.
“At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here,” said Beane in the interview. “This is my ninth season here. We’ve never had a player miss due to a contract or anything like that. So that’s disappointing for me, not something we want, not something we’re looking forward to. But at the end of the day, sometimes it can be the way the world. So we’ll deal with it the best we can.”
Beane added that he’s been in constant communication with Cook and his agent.
“Yeah, I mean, without getting into things, there’s been constant communication with his agent, either with myself or (VP of football administration) Kevin Meganck,” Beane said. “So, you know, at the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here. This is my ninth season here, we’ve never had a player miss due to a contract or anything like that, so that’s disappointing for me.
James Cook Contract: What Does The Bill RB Want?
RB James Cook walking out to practice not in uniform for the second straight day pic.twitter.com/WdFTcXciBe
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 4, 2025
Cook has been very open about his desire to sign a contract extension this offseason. Cook is scheduled to make a base salary of 5.3 million in 2025, the final year of his rookie contract.
Cook, 25, is certainly due for a raise. He was tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with 16 in 2024. Cook added 1,009 rushing yards and 258 receiving yards.
The number Cook is searching for is $15 million. With an average annual salary of $15 million, Cook would become only the fourth player to make that yearly amount. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million), San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey ($19 million), and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry ($15 million) are the only running backs who make at least $15 million per year.
For Cook to get a new deal, he and the Bills will have to agree on a number, which is a lot easier said than done.
“We’ve got a lot of the deals done that we tried, and it’s well known we tried to get something done with Jimbo, and unfortunately, it takes two, and both sides have to agree on what that number is, and obviously that hasn’t gotten there,” Beane added.
