One of the stories of the offseason for the Buffalo Bills was the contract negotiations with James Cook. Things were eventually ironed out when the running back signed a new deal in mid-August, and he is now locked in with Buffalo for the foreseeable future.
Should James Cook Have Asked For More Money From The Bills?
But based on how he has performed to start the season, and his numbers since becoming a full-time starter, it appears that Cook should have asked for more money.
A holdout was almost expected. Cook had made it known that he was looking for a new, lucrative contract that would place him among the highest paid at his position. He was absent from essentially all of the team’s off-season workout program, and was a no-show at the start of training camp.
On August 13th, a deal was finally struck. James Cook signed a four-year extension that day worth $46 million, which ranks as the second-richest running back contract currently in the NFL.
There were some who believed the agreement was too expensive for the Bills, though the numbers support the big pay day. Since he entered the league in 2022, Cook ranks 6th in rushing yards with 2,307, and his five 40-plus touchdown scampers are the most of any player in that span.
Cook Racking Up The Numbers Again In 2025
He hasn’t skipped a beat this year, either. Through the first two weeks of the young 2025 season, Cook as the fourth-most rushing yards in the league, and he has 61 yards out of the backfield on 6 catches, as well. He is one of eight players to score three touchdowns thus far.
Did the Bills underpay James Cook? Given that they gave him nearly the richest contract at his position, probably not. But the deal is back loaded, and only $28 million of it is guaranteed. In fact, his cap hit ranks 26th among running backs in 2025, and 19th for 2026.
Cook will look to keep things rolling against a porous Miami Dolphins defense this week. The Bills will play host to their division rivals on Thursday night, and the home team is a massive 12.5-point betting favorite.
