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Brandon Beane looks like a genius after the latest team development and it should terrify the rest of the league

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Adam Zientek | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 6:26 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills have locked down their superstar in running back James Cook right before the year began. With it, general manager Brandon Beane once again looks like a genius.

Cook has ascended to one of the very best at his position across the league, and he got his flowers in a big way from the league because of it. Through four weeks of the NFL season, Cook has totaled 401 yards on 75 carries for five touchdowns. Letting James Cook has proven to be a massive success in the early stages of the season.

With that, Cook has been awarded AFC Offensive Player of the Month. The talented running back set a new franchise record with eight straight games scoring a rushing touchdown after finding the end zone against the Saints.

Well done. ‍@thegreat__4 | https://t.co/riabrQlhXx pic.twitter.com/5JDxoVr4T1
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 2, 2025

Cook is only the second Bills running back in team history to earn the honor, joining only legendary Thurman Thomas, who won the award in November 1991. Cook leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns and ranks second in rushing yards. It's still early in the season, but Cook has looked worth every penny, and his emergence on the offense should terrify the league.

Cook got paid, Brandon Beane and the Bills win

It was a bit rocky at first, with Cook being a hold-in while awaiting his new contract. The Bills Mafia got an inside look at the contract negotiations as both Cook and Beane were featured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks.'

The front office has long emphasized the desire to draft, develop, and re-sign players, and that's exactly what the front office did with Cook, among others, in the 2024 offseason.

Outside of Cook, the team inked new deals with quarterback Josh Allen (six years, $330 million), cornerback Christian Benford (four years, $80 million), defensive end Greg Rousseau (four years, $80 million), linebacker Terrel Bernard (four years, $50 million), and receiver Khalil Shakir (four years, $53 million).

Only Thurman Thomas had reached this level before, and now Cook's name is in the same sentence. For the Bills, it's proof their star running back is not just living up to expectations, he's rewriting history.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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