For most teams in the NFL, the start of this week can be seen as a great time of the year with OTAs kicking off.
The Buffalo Bills are not like most teams, though.
Buffalo announced a series of issues regarding two key players for their 2025 team. First, running back James Cook was away from the team at the start of practices as he continues to "hold out" for a new contract.
Then, in a shock to almost nobody, Pro Bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa, one of the top players acquired during the start of the 2025 offseason, suffered a calf injury that is expected to keep him out until training camp.
"Listen, it is concerning," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. "Durability, availability are key ties to our roster. We basically look ahead in terms of what he's doing now, which is getting himself the treatment that he needs, and he's working hard at it.
"That's all he can control right now."
Not exactly what you want to hear from a coaching staff at this moment.
Buffalo is in a no-win situation here. The Bills do not have the money to pay James Cook, so that holdout is only expected to get nastier by the day. The team's top free agent pickup won't be around for a majority of the offseason work.
There aren't any solutions, either. It's an ugly reminder that while the Bills are considered Super Bowl contenders, they are already in the news for the wrong reasons now.