James Cook makes his pitch as Bills examine running back room
Cook is coming off a strong campaign, and he is entering the final season of his original four-year rookie deal.
Editor’s note: This is fourth in a seven-part series looking at the Buffalo Bills’ roster heading into the 2025 NFL offseason.
James Cook doesn’t need to say much to cause a stir.
The Buffalo Bills running back put some fans into a frenzy this month when he posted on social media indicating his hopes for $15 million when it comes to a possible extension.
On Instagram Live, Cook pinned his comment of “15 mill year.”
On X, Cook reposted and quote-posted a post that said “(If) you think James Cook ain’t worth 15 you must’ve been dropped head first through the table. Pay him.”
Cook quote-posted the message with the 100 emoji, showing his agreement.
Bills running back James Cook posted on social media that he wants $15 million per year, but will the team agree? Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
Cook is coming off a strong campaign, and he is entering the final season of his original four-year rookie deal. But an extension at $15 million per year would put Cook as the second-highest paid running back in the league. 49ers running back Christian McCaffery leads the way at a $19 million per year average annual value.
It’s a bold pitch from Cook, who is well loved by the Bills locker room and who took a step forward off the field this season as part of the Bills’ leadership council. Still, $15 million a year is ambitious, particularly in a league that often discounts running backs and on a team that has multiple contracts to juggle.
Cook is far from the only player up for an extension, with linebacker Terrel Bernard, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive end Greg Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford in the mix.
After the Bills’ season ended, general manager Brandon Beane acknowledged that soon he will start conversations with those players.
“I don’t want to go into each individual who we would try and extend now, and you guys know, we do a lot of extensions like that later in the year as well,” Beane said in January. “So, I think once we get through the next few weeks and even closer to the draft, that stuff will kind of start to come to fruition, how our cap dollars are spent and how we can shape contracts for guys that we would want to extend.”
Bills running back James Cook celebrates a touchdown against the Chiefs during the AFC championship game on Jan. 26. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
But outside of whatever happens with Cook, there’s more work to do. Ty Johnson is a pending free agent. So is fullback Reggie Gilliam. Both players acknowledged they love the Bills, but that the next steps are out of their control.
“I mean, that’s something for my agent and Beane and us to talk about,” Johnson said at locker room cleanout. “I definitely love the City of Buffalo. Love the love from the fans. I love this team. Love (offensive coordinator) Joe Brady, Josh (Allen), Coach Skip (running backs coach Kelly Skipper), everyone. I mean, if things work out, they’ll work out. But I can’t really say what’s going to happen, so that’s really it.”
Running back Ray Davis rounds out the room, and he’s coming off a rookie campaign in which he gave the Bills 442 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 113 carries. And, of course, any discussion on the Bills’ ground game has to include quarterback Allen, who contributed 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns – both second only to Cook.
How the Bills proceed with Cook will be contingent on how they view and shape the rest of the room.
Under contract: James Cook, Ray Davis, Frank Gore Jr.
Pending free agents: Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam.
Key question: What will the Bills decide to do with Cook?
Free agency and draft priority: Moderate.