Dalvin Cook's Message to NFL GMs After James Cook's Big Touchdown in Bills-Chiefs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Jan 26, 2025 9:33 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills faced the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in the AFC Championship Game, with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line.

Down 21-16 early in the third quarter, the Bills put together a key drive that lasted just over seven minutes. Running back James Cook carried the load, rushing five times for 45 yards on the drive alone.

It came down to a fourth-and-goal play, where James Cook stretched across the goal line from the Chiefs’ one-yard line after being hit by Nick Bolton. Despite the tough hit, the third-year back reached out midair, giving the Bills a 22-21 lead.

James Cook's brother, Dalvin Cook, a four-time NFL Pro Bowler who spent the season with the Dallas Cowboys, took to social media to let NFL general managers know how much the Bills star is worth.

"$20,000,000 / yr ," Dalvin Cook wrote.

$20,000,000 / yr https://t.co/qYtzqO70NL
— Dalvin “4️⃣” Cook (@dalvincook) January 27, 2025

James Cook is still on his rookie contract, which will run through the 2025 season after being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His contract averages $1,458,016 per year, and no running back in the league is currently making $20 million annually.

However, Dalvin Cook believes his brother should be in that elite category, suggesting that his new deal should surpass the $19 million per year that San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey currently earns as the highest-paid at the position.

James Cook has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in both of his two seasons as the starter. This year, he ran the ball 207 times for 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also added 32 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

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

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