James Cook's contract feud remains a significant issue for the Buffalo Bills.
The league leader in rushing touchdowns last season has consistently pushed to be paid over $15 million annually. Buffalo doesn't have the necessary cap space to give him that kind of contract.
Or, better said, Buffalo doesn’t want to make that sort of room.
While Cook did arrive for mandatory minicamp last week, he is not guaranteed to attend training camp.
That is why Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox believes that re-signing Cook must be Buffalo's top priority for the rest of the offseason.
"The Buffalo Bills were only a few plays away from reaching the Super Bowl in January, so much of the offseason has been about maintaining continuity. Ascending running back James Cook should be considered a long-term piece of the puzzle," Knox wrote.
"Cook is extension-eligible and has been vocal about his desire for a new deal, although that didn't keep him away from mandatory minicamp."
Besides MVP quarterback Josh Allen, Cook remains Buffalo's top weapon on offense. Without a clear answer for the team's No. 1 receiver, having a quality, skilled player who can make big plays is essential in any offense.
That is what makes Cook such an essential part of Buffalo's offense.
That's why he believes the Bills owe him an extension matching him being a top running back in the game, even if it means paying him along the same lines as a Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley.
Time will tell if Buffalo can find a way to make a deal happen … but the feud - if not solved - threatens to be a lingering issue.