TheBuffalo Bills found a new identity last season, and it ran straight throughJames Cook. Now comes the tougher question: Should they keep leaning on him?
According to Greg Cosell, who appeared on June 18 on the Ross Tucker Podcast as an NFL analyst, Cook is among the toughest running backs for any defense to tackle in 2025. But the defensive coach said one more thing about him.
Greg Cosell Wonders Whether Bills Will Stick With Run-First Approach
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III walks the sideline while the defense in on the field during first half action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Nov. 2, 2025.
Speaking about Buffalo’s evolving offense under head coach Joe Brady, Cosell questioned whether the Bills will continue building around Cook or shift back toward a pass-heavy attack led by quarterback Josh Allen.
“I spoke to a defensive coach this offseason who thought that James Cook a year ago was THE toughest back to defend…
Will that stay the same OR will they become more of a passing team?”
“I spoke to a defensive coach this offseason who thought that James Cook a year ago was THE toughest back to defend…”
“Will that stay the same OR will they become more of a passing team?”@GregCosell with a question about the Bills’ offense under new HC Joe Brady: pic.twitter.com/oMJNUZYGEW
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) June 18, 2026
With Cook’s emergence, the identity of the Bills has been transformed. A product of the University of Georgia, he was supposed to be a versatile weapon that created mismatches in space. Very few predicted that he would emerge as a workhorse between the tackles.
That has precisely become the case. Cook finished the 2025 season with 1,621 rushing yards and secured his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, becoming the Bills’ first rushing champion since the legendary O.J. Simpson.
Under Brady, Buffalo leaned heavily on multiple tight-end sets and physical personnel packages. The Bills led the NFL in second-half rushing attempts now with Cook handling the bulk of those carries as the offense closed out games.
The approach worked, however, Cosell sees another level available. Cook’s receiving ability remains an underused part of his game, especially in an offense still anchored by one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks.
The challenge for the Bills entering 2026 is finding the right balance. Keep feeding the back who changed the offense, or put more on Allen’s arm again.
If the Bills can successfully blend both of the approaches, they may end up with the NFL’s toughest offense to defend, and not just its toughest running back.