The extension situation with James Cook and the Buffalo Bills remains at a stalemate, with the club holding firm in part based on the idea that he's under contract at present .. and with the running back seemingly believing he worthy of a new deal at roughly $15 million APY.
That is problematic.
But there might be another issue here ... another reason for the conflict.
What if the Bills are of the belief that Cook is about to "regress''?
Tyler Fulgham of ESPN uses that very word as he predicts that James Cook is a 'regression candidate for the 2025 season.
The logic?
"James Cook screams regression candidate in 2025," Fulgham writes. "Despite scoring a combined nine total TDs in his first two seasons, Cook exploded in 2024 with 18 total TDs -- including a league-leading 16 on the ground. With Josh Allen continuing to dominate goal-line work and second-year running back Ray Davis earning more opportunities, Cook's touchdown rate relative to his volume of touches is simply not sustainable."
Now, we're clearly playing some Fantasy Football here.
But the statistical warning shot may have nevertheless been fired.
And maybe the Bills are within earshot.
As attention turns to 2025, Cook will need to continue his good form, which has seen him surpass 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons, along with a whopping 16 rushing touchdowns last year, tying the franchise record. ...
And then maybe he gets his deal.
Or ...
As The Athletic's Jacob Robinson asks, will this be James' final year in Buffalo?
"There’s more to this group than James Cook’s potential hold-in, as sophomore Ray Davis showed a three-down skillset that Buffalo seems to think Cook lacks (Cook played 47 percent of snaps in 2024, splitting time with Davis and Ty Johnson)," Robinson writes. "When Cook missed Week 6, Davis took 23 touches for 152 yards.
"Given the 26-year-old Cook’s role and GM Brandon Beane’s history — he’s never offered a rookie-contract runner an extension — I’m skeptical we see a long-term deal, meaning Buffalo should give Davis more opportunities in 2025."
Sense a trend here?
The numbers might sink. The backup might rise. Not too many teams want to pay running backs $15 million.
Training camp will be the next checkpoint in Cook's negotiations with Buffalo; will he hold out?
The tight salary cap situation means it would take some serious wheeling and dealing from Beane to open up enough cap space to get a deal done.
And we're increasingly getting the sense - as key as Cook might be to this Super Bowl bid - that Beane and the Bills have very little interest in doing so.