The NFL has seen a lot of ugly contract negotiations in recent years.
James Cook could be next.
The running back, who led the league in rushing touchdowns last season (16), is entering the final season of his rookie contract. The pressure is on general manager Brandon Beane to ink an extension with the talented player.
“I have no doubt when it’s time to play football, he’ll be ready to roll,” Beane told Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio.
But what does Cook say?
He was at a Celebrity Poker Tour event in Las Vegas and was asked by PokerNews about the possibility of a holdout.
“I necessarily don’t want to talk about it right now, because it’s like, it’s something I want to hold in to myself,” Cook said. “Just let the business take care of the business.”
Cook played it safe, not confirming nor denying that he could hold out of training camp. He has been vocal on social media about wanting an extension in the range of $15 million a year. That would make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL ahead of the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor.
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“I mean, I just make sure the business is a business, and just do whatever I can to always be there for my teammates, and however it works out, it works out. And then we go play football,” Cook continued.
#BillsMafia fill in the blank ⬇️
James Cook is the Bills best RB since _____.pic.twitter.com/qp9pM3yV1E
— Buffalo Sports Talk (@BUFSportsTalk) May 5, 2025
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There’s no arguing that Cook is worthy of a big payday when the time comes. The question is will it be in Buffalo or somewhere else?
The Bills can argue that Cook has benefitted from a talented offensive line and sharing a backfield with Josh Allen. Would he rack up the same gaudy statistics if he wasn’t in Buffalo?
Cook carried the ball 207 times for 1,009 yards last season and added 258 yards through the air. He also shared the backfield with Ty Johnson which means Cook could produce even more given a higher workload.
For now, it’s still a possibility that Cook has a contract holdout to get what he thinks he deserves.
