The Buffalo Bills were one of 17 teams to open voluntary offseason workout programs on Monday. Draft week starts and many franchises will start preparing for what should be a competitive 2025 season.
The Bills are one of the teams with the most to prove next season after yet another disappointing season ending at the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
One of the brightest spots of the campaign was James Cook, who rose to stardom during the 2023 season and signed his name on the list of the top running backs in the league.
Cook posted solid numbers in 2024 again, playing 16 games, carrying the ball 207 times, racking up 1,009 rushing yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. It goes without saying that he was the best partner Allen could have either on air or on the ground.
After such a special season, Cook wanted to get paid as one of the best players in his position. Even before Saquon Barkley inked a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension with the Bills, Cook had stated he wanted to earn $15 million per year.
General manager Brandon Beane said at the end of March that the team halted contract talks with Cook, but didn't close the door on giving him an extension down the road.
As the Bills started the new season, Bean announced that Cook wasn't at the team facilities for the start of the offseason program. Reporter Joe Buscaglia added that Beane didn't clarify whether Cook would be joining the team's program soon.
"Can't tell you when he's definitely coming or not," he said.
Beane noted that speculation regarding this decision was "unfair" and seemed confident that Cook would be present when the 2025 campaign starts.
The 2024 season looked promising for the AFC East franchise, with star quarterback Josh Allen going on an impressive run that ended with the MVP award. Despite losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, they regrouped and found new weapons for the wide receiver room, more specifically rookie Keon Coleman, who was the perfect partner for Khalil Shakir after he got a more prominent role on the offense.
Cook has proven an integral part of this team's success and losing him for the 2025 season would be a major blow for the Bills.
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