Bills James Cook Reveals No. 1 Focus During Contract Dispute

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 11, 2025 10:17 PM ET

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is still waiting for his new contract, which he reportedly wants roughly $15 million APY.

With things not moving in the direction he hopes, having skipped the early portion of team workouts (they were voluntary anyway), all eyes are on mandatory mini-camp and training camp in the coming months to see if James will hold out.

It could loom as a problem for the Bills front office if Cook does hold out because right now, they don't have the salary cap wiggle room to get a deal done, having just $1.7 million in cap space per Over The Cap.

Not in his nature to do so, Cook made it clear that business is business, but also said he would be there for his teammates.

"However it works out, it works out," Cook said via PokerNews. "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."

James seems pretty relaxed about his situation, and he's fine with whatever happens.

Granted, a new contract would be ideal, but it doesn't seem like he is going to get the deal he wants, at least this offseason anyway.

Still tight-lipped on a potential holdout, we have seen these scenarios become ugly and while it doesn't seem like that will be the path this goes down, this is the NFL, so never say never.

But Cook knows the business side of football, and his contract situation will work itself out when it does.

Until then, it will be topic of discussion, and it might be one that sees James play on the final year of his rookie deal in 2025.

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

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