ESPN just gave James Cook more reason to hold out but he still won't do it because the Bills have all the leverage

At this point, everyone knows James Cook wants a big payday from the Buffalo Bills and Brandon Beane is no rush to make a deal happen.

Therefore, many are wondering Cook "holds in" during training camp in an effort to prove a point and maybe even the season.

Contract negotiations, especially for running backs, can be more of a mountain for the player to climb than the team. In a lot of cases, agents will go as far to use PFF grades and other analytics that reflect well upon their client(s) during the process in an effort to bolster their case.

Well, ESPN just published with their top-10 running back rankings for the 2025 season and Cook comes in at No. 8, which I'm sure will add a little more fuel to his fire:

Cook's 3.1 yards per rush before contact was the fifth-highest mark of any qualifying back.

"Dangerous and explosive," an NFL personnel executive said.

Added an AFC exec: "He's perfect for that offense, with a quarterback that spreads things out. He's good in the passing game, catches the ball really well, good in open space. Not sure he's elite yet but he's really, really good."

He's averaging 222 carries per season as the starter, and some teams are curious about how he would hold up as a 300-carry No. 1 back at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds. But, either way, he has earned league-wide respect at a time when he's seeking a contract extension from Buffalo. - Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Cook may "hold-in" during training camp, but he certainly won't hold out during the regular season

Players who produce at elite levels deserve to get paid, but unfortunately for Cook, the Bills hold all the leverage in this scenario.

It all boils down to one simple fact: Cook is entering his fourth year in the league. The key with Year 4 is a player earns vested veteran status after the sixth game. Meaning, they become an unrestricted free agent once/if they hit the market. 

That's huge for players because it gives them unlimited access to teams, whereas exclusive rights free agents and/or restricted free agents are basically held in check by their respective teams and have to bend to their terms, for the most part. 

If Cook were to holdout past Week 10, he wouldn't be able to obtain the accrued season needed to give him veteran status. And even worse, he'd still have to play for the Bills (or another team) in 2026 in order to obtain said status. It would accomplish and change absolutely nothing, as he'd now be in a spot where he's missed an entire year of football, hypothetically.

Even holding in during camp isn't a good idea. If Cook really wants to get paid, why miss valuable reps and practice time that help him get into football shape, which is the one of the biggest aspects of training camp, anyway. A slow start to the year or even an injury because of missed time in camp/the preseason would only make Cook's negotiations tougher. He can't afford many setbacks, if any at all, if he's seeking top dollar.

No matter, what expect Cook to be on the field come Week 1.