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What's 'Sweet Spot' In Bills' James Cook 'Quiet' Contract Talks?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 9:41 AM ET

The longer Buffalo Bills running back James Cook goes without securing his desired contract, the more it seems that it could have an ugly ending.

With the Bills re-signing a host of players this offseason, there isn't too much salary cap pie to throw around (just $1.6 million per Over The Cap), and that presents a problem.

Buffalo doesn't appear to have the financial means to broker a deal, and Cook might have to wait until next offseason before anything substantial can happen.

But still, there hasn't been the media attention on this situation, which is a little odd given how important Cook is to Joe Brady's offense, but Albert Breer has detailed why that is.

"They had talks earlier in the offseason and my sense is that the two sides were never very close to finding real common ground," he writes. "Which explains how quiet it’s been on the Cook front since that flurry of Buffalo extensions. The challenge here is, and will continue to be, where the sweet spot is for a player at a position that, quite simply, doesn’t seem to have a discernible pay scale at all.

"The clock, of course, is ticking."

With Cook reportedly wanting roughly $15 million APY, which would put him in the top bracket of running back contracts, it appears the Bills simply don't want to/can't part ways with that sort of money right now.

Even if general manager Brandon Beane performed some serious salary cap gymnastics, we aren't sure enough would be available to get a deal done.

So both parties are between a rock and a hard place, and the longer this goes, the messier it becomes.

Cook, a two-time Pro Bowler in his three seasons, is coming off a year where he tied the franchise record with O.J. Simpson for most rushing touchdowns in a year (16), yet can't get the contract he feels he deserves.

And going by Breer's words, it won't be happening any time soon, either.

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

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