Bills running backs coach challenges James Cook amid desire for contract extension

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook fully participated in the club's June mandatory minicamp amid his desire for a lucrative contract extension. 

During a recent chat with Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, Bills running backs coach Kelly Skipper offered somewhat of a challenge for Cook as the 25-year-old remains on track to play while in the final year of his rookie deal.

"The biggest thing is you can't stay the same," Skipper said about Cook. "You got to get better. I mean, you got to chase perfection, and so, that's what he's here, to work on his game and to be out here, do individual [drills], see what type of condition he is in. He's been training, but it's different when you get out here and you're running plays. You run from play to play, so you got to get in football shape. So, it's good for him to get out here and get rolling."

Per ESPN stats, Cook finished the 2024 regular season with a league-best 16 rushing touchdowns (tied with Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions). According to StatMuse, Cook accumulated the ninth-most total regular-season rushing yards (2,131) across the past two campaigns. 

Ich 2024, eyebrows were raised when the Philadelphia Eagles signed running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75M contract with $26M fully guaranteed. Barkley then became the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl champion after he led the NFL with 2,283 total yards from scrimmage. This past March, Philadelphia rewarded Barkley with a two-year, $41M extension that included $36M guaranteed at signing.

Cook previously indicated he wants at least $15M per season attached to his expected extension. 

According to Ralph Ventre of Sports Illustrated, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in late June that there's a "sweet spot" where the Bills and Cook could get a deal done before veteran Buffalo players are due to report to training camp on July 22. According to Getzenberg, Cook is "expected to be in attendance" for camp with or without an extension. 

"The thing he's got to concentrate is his whole game, the run and the pass," Skipper added. "Being able to pass-block because he can do it, you know what I mean? It's just how many times and just being ready and don't get caught off guard."

Cook could become more expensive for the Bills if he shows this fall that he can improve as an all-around back while in a contract year. Assuming Fowler is right, it sounds like Buffalo would like to avoid such a situation by locking Cook down this summer via an extension that benefits everyone involved.