Bills Can’t Hide The Truth About James Cook

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 9:58 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills' offseason has been productive and positive for a franchise that narrowly missed out on a Super Bowl berth last year.

Additions on both sides of the ball to strengthen Josh Allen's weaponry and a host of defensive players walking through the doors, coupled with contract extensions for several stars, have been nothing but good vibes for the AFC East champs.

Except for one thing - James Cook's contract saga.

With training camp approaching, James is still without a deal, and for Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox, getting Cook signed to a new deal is the top item on the franchise's to-do list.

"The Buffalo Bills were only a few plays away from reaching the Super Bowl in January, so much of the offseason has been about maintaining continuity," Knox writes. "Ascending running back James Cook should be considered a long-term piece of the puzzle. Cook is extension-eligible and has been vocal about his desire for a new deal, although that didn't keep him away from mandatory minicamp."

The big thing stopping a deal from being done is money.

Cook reportedly wants roughly $15 million APY, which would put him in the top bracket for highest-paid backs in football.

But there's a problem, and it's a monumental one.

Per Over The Cap, the Bills have just $100,000 in cap space. Yikes.

Could Buffalo move money around to change that? Sure. But it’s clear the club is reluctant to do so.

With no disrespect to the guy they call “Jimbo” … that’s a truth Bills management cannot hide.

So Cook might have to wait until next offseason for the deal he craves, and that means playing on the final year of his rookie deal in 2025.

However, if he doesn't and is demanding a new contract, Buffalo's offseason to-do list might remain unfinished.

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

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