Bills RB James Cook Gets Insider Advice Amid Major Contract Dispute

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 9:03 AM ET

The Buffalo Bills and James Cook aren't in the best of places as things stand with the two-time Pro Bowl running back wanting a new contract, yet so far, precious little has been done about it.

With a host of other key players such as Josh Allen, Christian Benford, Terrel Bernard, Greg Rousseau, and Khalil Shakir all signing extensions, Buffalo doesn't have much salary cap left over to give Cook the roughly $15 million APY had wants.

Set to play on the final year of his deal, it is worth noting that Cook is a free agent after the 2025 season, and there could be a few teams lining up to secure his services.

But for Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame, in listing the top free agents for 2026, thinks Cook should be staying put in the AFC East.

"Here’s another running back who should stick around," Verderame writes. "The Bills have spent this offseason, locking up one star after the next, ranging from Christian Benford and Terrel Bernard to Khalil Shakir and Greg Rousseau. Expect Cook to be next, as general manager Brandon Beane sticks to his plan of retaining homegrown talent."

Should we "expect" Cook to be next?

Maybe ... but not at $15 million per year, which is why Cook is sending messages about dissatisfaction.

Is Cook interested in this sort of "insider advice''?

Not likely.

General manager Brandon Beane stated at the annual league meeting that just because Cook doesn't have a new contract now, doesn't mean he won't next year, with the Bills' focus now on the draft.

But whether Cook is fine with that or not is unknown, with players not wanting to play on the final year of their deals with injury a real concern.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport stated that the Bills and Cook aren't in a "great place," but the expectation is that he will be a Bill in 2025.

This does feel like it has a long way to go, and when training camp rolls around, it will be interesting to see if Cook is a willing participant or not with the new contract he wants looking more unlikely it gets done with each passing day.

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

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