James Cook To Push For Raise In 2027?

Cook’s stock has continued to rise since he signed his extension, and the price for star ball carriers has gone up significantly since then. Combining those factors, Cook’s contract situation “could come to a head next offseason,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN writes.

At the time he put pen to paper, Cook was coming off his second straight season of at least 200 carries and 1,000 yards. The 2022 second-round pick from Georgia only totaled four rushing touchdowns during his first two seasons in Buffalo, but he exploded for 16 in 2024.

Cook’s sudden scoring prowess helped lead to a payday, and it continued last season. He found the end zone 14 more times (12 rushing, two receiving) and set career highs in carries (309) and rushing yards (1,621). It was the second 17-game season for the durable Cook, who won the rushing title, earned second-team All-Pro honors and picked up his third Pro Bowl selection in a row.

Cook amassed the third-most carries in the league last year. While Cook is down to seventh through three games this season, he is on pace to contend for a second consecutive rushing title. Cook (346) trails only the Chiefs’ Kenneth Walker (360) and the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson (349) in ground yards. So far, the 27-year-old has averaged a career-best 6.0 yards per attempt – which leads all running backs – and scored twice on 58 carries.

Walker (three years, $43.05MM) and Robinson (three years, $66.75MM) are among the RBs who reeled in enormous raises in recent months. They are also two of 12 players at the position who are earning more per year than Cook’s $11.5MM average annual salary. It’s hard to argue there are a dozen more valuable backs than Cook, who lags well below the top of the market. The Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs ($22.25MM per year), Robinson ($22.25MM) and the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor ($22MM) all jumped ahead of the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley ($20.6MM) and the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey ($19MM) on extensions during the summer.

Cook could end up closer to that quintet in a year if his stellar play continues, though it will depend in part on whether the Bills are willing to negotiate with someone who is already under contract through 2029. If general manager Brandon Beane wants to play hardball, he could point to Cook’s ball-security issues. Cook was worst among RBs in fumbles (six) last year, and he added a costly one in the Bills’ 33-30 loss to the Broncos in the divisional round.

Cook has already coughed up the ball twice this year, including a lost fumble on the Bills’ first offensive play against the Chargers last Sunday. He rebounded during a 24-carry, 154-yard afternoon, however, helping the Bills secure a 24-16 win and a 3-0 start.