Buffalo Bills running back James Cook turned heads this week with his arrival and participation at minicamp.
After a tumultuous few months of public outcry over his lack of a new deal, the former second-round pick's arrival was a welcome sign for the organization. That doesn't mean a deal is close to taking place, though.
Buffalo has locked up several of their young core to this point. Defensive stars like Christian Benford, Gregory Rousseau, and Terrel Bernard enjoyed lucrative extensions over the last few months.
Cook remains the lone player not to have a new deal.
Just because the running back showed up to minicamp does not guarantee that he'll be in attendance for the start of training camp in a month. … as Bills Mafia wonders if “loyalty” is a factor here.
And as things stand, Bills general manager Brandon Beane isn't entirely sure if he will arrive in Rochester for the start of practices.
"You'd have to ask him," Beane said. "He hasn't said, 'Hey, I won't be there. There's no deal.' Or any kind of circumstances. So no, I believe Jimbo will be ready to roll whether there's a deal or not."
Cook has repeatedly stated his desire for a new deal worth around $15 million per year. Buffalo currently has less than $5 million in cap space.
If the two sides are going to agree on a new deal, the organization needs to create some cap space. Cook is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is coming off a season in which he led the league in rushing touchdowns.
He is more than deserving of his lucrative contract extension. And while his appearance in minicamp was a positive turn for both sides, it doesn't guarantee that his loyalty will stretch to training camp.