After leading the league in rushing touchdowns last season, no one is arguing that Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is in the right to find a long-term extension with the team that drafted him.
Buffalo's offense has reached new heights behind Cook's play. He has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and remains a key part of their offense.
That doesn't mean Buffalo is in the wrong to not give Cook the kind of deal he is looking for.
Even if NFL Media senior writer Kevin Patra believes Cook is the Bills' biggest remaining offseason priority.
"The situation looming over the entire offseason is Cook's desire for a new contract and the team's reluctance, at least so far, to hand out a big money deal to a player who was on the field for less than half the offensive snaps last season," Paltra said.
It's important to remember that Cook has been on the record looking for a new contract that pays him over $15 million per year. That would put him among the top-five highest paid running backs in the league.
Is he worth top-five money? For a team that is already tight on cap space. The answer is a resounding no.
Despite Cook's impact, Buffalo only goes as far as their league MVP quarterback will take them. Josh Allen has all the talent on the field necessary to keep the Bills in title contention.
And that means Cook isn't going to be worth the kind of money he wants.
In the end, playing hardball is the only decision the Bills have left.