The Buffalo Bills love James Cook. But he is due a contract extension. The team is trying to manage the cap and not overextend.
Meanwhile ...
Players like Cook are looking to be paid their worth - or, better said, their perceived worth.
Sometimes, both sides can agree to an extension rather quickly. Other times, you get the kind of conflict that the Buffalo Bills and running back James Cook find themselves embroiled it.
His value here is key. That is why many analysts believe that the Bills should do whatever they need to so Cook can remain a member of the organization for the long term.
But Cook has talked of wanting $15 million APY. The Bills don't think he's ... well, that key.
Dan Parr, Original Content Editor of Draft Strategy on NFL.com, shared an article in which he highlighted one player from each AFC team who is "easy to root for'' during the 2025 season. He pegged Cook for Buffalo ... and we get it.
Parr is in a sense very fair with his assessment. Cook will be 26 once the 2025 regular season begins. That is often the lip of the cup a danger zone for running backs ... as the decline for a heavy-lifting star can start to become noticeable.
So if you're a Cook fan? Sure. You're "rooting for him.''
But if you're a Bills fan who is mindful of the cap-related impact of big deals? You're not "rooting for him'' to get paid like he's Saquon Barkley.
Time will tell whether or not that deal comes before the start of training camp; a compromise could be in order. ... at which time Bills Mafia can root for the whole bunch together.