Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has emerged as one of the NFL’s best runners over the last two seasons. His impact on the field cannot be denied, but as the 25-year-old seeks a new contract, a potential holdout looms.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cook was not present at Bills OTAs (organized team activities) on Tuesday as whispers of a contract dispute begin to pick up.
While the franchise’s OTAs are currently voluntary and mandatory veteran minicamp doesn’t take place until June, Cook’s absence remains notable to an extent. The Georgia product hasn’t exactly downplayed his desire for a large contract extension. How far he’ll go to obtain such a deal — including a potential holdout from mandatory activities, which brings thousands of dollars in disciplinary fines — remains to be seen heading into the coming weeks.
Still, Rapoport did say he expects Cook to play for the Bills this season. The halfback’s absence from this chunk of OTAs remains just the first step in the saga, but in a perfect world, the two sides find an agreeable number and put ink to paper before the relationship has time to sour.
In a world in which backfields are largely replaceable, there’s no denying that Cook’s talent makes him deserving of a hefty contract extension. He’s effective as both a runner and pass catcher, rushing for at least 1,000 yards and hauling in 30-plus catches in both seasons as a starter.
While he was scarcely utilized as a rookie in 2022, Cook tallied over 1,550 scrimmage yards in 2023. Last season, he totaled over 1,250 yards from scrimmage along with an NFL-best 16 rushing touchdowns and another two scores through the air, too. He’s become a key engine in a high-scoring Bills offense which reached the AFC Championship Game before falling short to the Kansas City Chiefs.
If Buffalo would like to return deep into the playoffs, keeping Cook around only makes sense.
