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Bills Address Doubts About James Cook Contract Holdout

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 9, 2025 12:41 AM ET

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is still waiting for the new contract he desires, and he might have to wait until next offseason.

That means playing the 2025 season on his rookie contract, which as we know, some players aren't fans of doing, but with the Bills already sorting out the futures for several other key players, and Cook reportedly wanting around $15 million APY, things are a little tight.

All eyes are on the offseason workouts for Buffalo and if Cook turns up. He was absent from the early workouts, which were voluntary, so no surprises there. But when mandatory mini-camp and training camp begin? That's a different story entirely.

Still, general manager Brandon Beane, in talking with Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio, feels confident that when it's time to play football, James will be there.

“I know we’ve had people in the building that he’s been talking with, and I have no doubts when it’s time to play football, he’ll be ready to roll,” Beane said.

So that is all good and well to say now, but if Cook skips mandatory mini-camp and then either holds out or holds in (present at camp but not doing anything), then this story will take another turn.

Coming off a season that saw him tie the franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a single season (16), Cook wants to be paid like a top back in football. Two back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowls to go along with it, it is no wonder he wants a new contract.

And it appears that regardless of what happens over the coming months, Beane is expecting Cook to show up and handle his business, even if the front office doesn't handle theirs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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