James Cook. Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

Bills Announce Decision On James Cook For 2025

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 1:40 PM ET

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane insisted that James Cook will remain on the team to start the 2025 season.

Cook enters the final year of his rookie contract following consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns. The 25-year-old didn't attend the start of Buffalo's voluntary offseason workouts that began last Monday.

Despite that uncertainty, the Bills notably did not draft a running back. Speaking to Pat McAfee on Tuesday, Beane said Cook, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson are all returning.

"He will be here this year, and hopefully beyond," Beane said of Cook. "We're focused on this season, but yes, for 2025, we'll have all three backs. Again, we love James, and we would love nothing more than to keep him here longer term."

Cook has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in three seasons with Buffalo. After amassing 1,567 scrimmage yards in 2023, he tripled his touchdown tally to 18 despite amassing 300 fewer yards.

The second-round pick registered 337 yards in three playoff games, scoring two touchdowns in Buffalo's narrow AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cook has previously indicated he wants to make $15 million per year, an average annual value that would make him the league's third-highest-paid running back behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. He'll make $5.3 million this season, and the Bills halted extension negotiations in March.

However, Beane cautioned against interpreting Cook's workout absence as a contract statement.

"It's voluntary. So, guys come and go. Guys have things going on. Try not to look too far into it," Beane said last Tuesday, per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. "We could all assume he's not here because he's unhappy with his contract or whatever, but that's not fair. He hasn't told me that. No one's told me that he said that, but I think that's kind of unfair to say he's not here because of that. It doesn't mean he's not here next week or the week after. He'll be ready to go, though."

Of course, Beane's declaration doesn't speak for Cook's intentions this summer.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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