Bills Praised For 'Home Run' Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 10:50 AM ET

When it comes to assessing the Buffalo Bills' offseason, most gravitate to the things they haven't done - like extend James Cook.

However, it is worth noting that the franchise has done a great deal of good over the past couple of months, both by signing key free agents and by re-signing their young talent.

Yes, we get it with Cook, but we also can't overlook how this roster is constructed and that a lot of young, promising talent have seen their futures be pledged to Buffalo.

For SI's Matt Verderame, in his good, bad, and ugly from the 2025 offseason, Beane's ability to get most key players re-signed is definitely a positive.

"This offseason, general manager Brandon Beane extended a slew of his younger, homegrown players, including corner Christian Benford, receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and edge rusher Gregory Rousseau," Verderame writes. "There’s not a single Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod between the quartet, but each is a rising star at his position and Beane got them all on good deals.

"The only remaining question in this realm is running back James Cook, who has a year left on his rookie deal. Cook led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024 but is still slated for free agency. If Cook re-signs at some point, that’s another home run for Beane and the Bills."

With a host of key players now locked away, the Bills can look forward to what they hope will be a 2025 season that ends in Josh Allen hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Yes, Cook and his contract saga have taken the edge off what has been a fruitful offseason, but there have been good strides made elsewhere with the roster.

None of the contract extensions were ridiculous in terms of money, so the Bills will be in a good spot, salary cap-wise, down the line. But while those deals were "home runs," there is still one more that must be done.

Somehow, someway, figure out a deal for Mr. Cook, and this 2025 would have been as close to perfect for Buffalo as you can get.

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

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