James Cook's recent posts on Instagram showed the two-time Pro Bowl running back training in Florida.
James Cook, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, is absent from the Buffalo Bills' voluntary offseason program. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Most of his teammates, meanwhile, have been at One Bills Drive for the Buffalo Bills voluntary offseason training program. General Manager Brandon Beane downplayed Cook's absence while telling reporters during a recent news conference that no one told the team that the 2022 second-round draft pick is staying away because of his contract.
Cook, 25, made his first formal public comments about a possible contract extension when broached Saturday by the PokerNews at a Celebrity Poker Tour event in Las Vegas.
"However it works out, it works out," Cook told [**PokerNews**](https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/05/james-cook-buffalo-bills-contract-poker-tournament-48557.htm) when asked if a deal could be completed soon. "I mean, I just make sure the business is a business and just do whatever I can to always be there for my teammates, and however it works out, it works out. And then we go play football."
Beane said March 31 that extension talks were tabled after the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.
Cook is eligible for an extension with one year remaining on a rookie contract that carries a $5,701,375 salary-cap hit in 2025. He ran for 1,009 yards and caught 32 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. His 16 rushing touchdowns tied Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for the NFL lead in the regular season, then Cook added 272 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs.
The Bills prioritized contract extensions for several prominent players this offseason, as Beane signed quarterback Josh Allen, linebacker Terrel Bernard, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook is looking for a significant raise, perhaps in the neighborhood of Saquon Barkley, who received a two-year, $41.2 contract extension from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, or Christian McCaffery's $19 million salary with the San Francisco 49ers.
“We want nothing more, just like these other guys (who have signed extensions), than for James to continue being a Buffalo Bill well past this season,” Beane said.
If Cook doesn’t report to the Bills’ mandatory minicamp on June 10-12, he would be subjected to fines of $16,953, $33,908 and $50,855 for the first, second and third days, respectively, for a total of $101,716. For now, he's working out away from the team to prepare for a season that could position him to become one of highest-paid running backs in the NFL. According to the industry web site Over The Cap, Cook’s 2025 cap number ranks 18th among running backs.
Cook wasn't ready to say whether he'd holdout if a deal isn't complete before training camp.
"I necessarily don't want to talk about it right now, because it's like, it's something I want to hold in to myself ... just let the business take care of business," he added.
_News sports reporter Ryan O'Halloran contributed to this story._
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