James Cook was not present during the Buffalo Bills’ voluntary offseason workouts. Next up for the team is mandatory minicamp (June 10-12).
Will Cook show up? One NFL insider does not expect that to be the case. In a recent episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast, the ESPN insider said he would not be surprised if Cook continued to stay away from the team. According to Schefter, the Bills and Cook remain far apart in their negotiations.
“You’ve got a guy who’s unhappy with his contractual situation... (He) has basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city,” Schefter said. “Put his house up for sale... I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon. Again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don’t have a deal done there or by then, does James Cook show up for training camp? Does he risk the penalties that come along in the collective bargaining agreement if he doesn’t show up?”
Cook could be fined as early as this week if he misses mandatory minicamp. According to Spotrac, unexcused failure to report to or unexcused departure from mandatory offseason minicamp results in a maximum fine of $17,462 for the first missed day, $34,925 for the second missed day, and $52,381 for the third missed day.
If Cook held out from training camp, he would be subject to a $50,000 fine per day.
Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He is set to make a little over $5 million this season so the fines would add up quickly.
Regardless of when Cook shows up, Schefter believes there is a storm cloud looming over the team and their season as their negotiations with Cook drag on.
“I don’t believe that these two sides are anywhere close to a deal at this point in time,” Schefter added. “And as we enter a critical season for the Buffalo Bills, James Cook is one of the more important players there. With a deal not on the horizon, that looms as a little storm cloud over the promising season that’s ahead for the Buffalo Bills... I don’t think the two sides are close now and I think this is going to take some time to figure out.”