The longer the Buffalo Bills and James Cook continue to be at loggerheads over a proposed new contract, the more nervous Bills Mafia gets about how the offense might roll in 2025.
With clear Super Bowl aspirations, the Bills, for some, would be in doubt of challenging if Cook isn't leading the run game, so it does make it important to sort out James' future one way or another.
Of course, Buffalo's salary cap situation is not in a great spot after all the extensions general manager Brandon Beane executed this offseason; there isn't much left over for Cook. That means he might have to play on the final year of his rookie deal.
And for NFL.com's Dan Parr, that means rooting for Cook to have a great 2025 season so he can get the contract he desires next offseason.
"We have run into the well-worn narrative of a running back wanting to get paid and a team being unwilling to budge," Parr wrote. "It’s hard to argue with Cook’s results, though. He averages 4.9 yards per carry in his career, which leads all players since 2022 (min. 500 carries), and he tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
"Playing in an offense led by Josh Allen and bolstered by a strong offensive line undoubtedly helps, but so does Cook’s playmaking ability out of the backfield. Given the position he plays, Cook’s unlikely to see many bites at the contractual apple, so I’m rooting for him to stay healthy and get the lucrative new deal he’s earned."
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The next question is if Cook is to get a new contract, say with the Bills, what type of season would he need to have to justify the roughly $15 million APY he wants?
Surely another 1,000-yard season, along with maybe double-digit touchdowns, would not only make Buffalo take notice, but also others as well.
In an ideal world, the Bills and Cook would come to terms on an extension before training camp, and everything would go smoothly, but as we know, sometimes things don't go as planned.
But the Bills love Cook and want him to stick around, but do they love him enough to pay him near the top of the market value? If not, it'll make "rooting for James to get a big contract next offseason rather easy.