James Cook’s decision to hold out during training camp has created questions about the Buffalo Bills’ rushing attack heading into 2025-26. The talented running back, coming off a career year with 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns, wants a contract extension before his final season under his current deal. While negotiations continue, his teammates and coaches remain hopeful for a quick resolution.
How Are Sean McDermott and Josh Allen Supporting James Cook During His Holdout?
Sean McDermott understands what his running back means to the team and cannot wait for his return. The head coach remains cautiously optimistic about Cook’s potential return to practice, as WKBW (Buffalo) Sports Director Matthew Bove tweeted.
“We look forward to having him back; we’ll see if that happens today.”
“We look forward to having him back, we’ll see if that happens today.”
McDermott said he’s expecting Cook at practice, but won’t know if he comes out until practice has started.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) August 7, 2025
“McDermott said he’s expecting Cook at practice but won’t know if he comes out until practice has started.”
The head coach can only sit back and wait for a resolution between Cook and the front office. However, Allen, the reigning MVP, already knows Cook’s impact and how his electric play makes the team better.
Josh Allen supports James Cook’s efforts to get paid and said, “We desperately want him out there.”
Mentioned the benefit of more work for Ray Davis and called Ty Johnson the best third-down back in the NFL: pic.twitter.com/e0SYDagY3E
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) August 7, 2025
“Josh Allen supports James Cook’s efforts to get paid and said, ‘We desperately want him out there.’”
“Impressed by Ray Davis and called Ty Johnson one of the best third-down backs in the NFL.”
Why Is Cook’s Contract Extension So Important to Buffalo’s 2025-26 Season?
In his third season, Cook rushed for 1,009 yards and scored a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns, adding 32 catches, 258 yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Every 13 times Cook touches the ball, he scores. That level of scoring efficiency remains rare throughout the NFL.
Cook enters the final year of his contract, which will pay him $5.7 million, according to Spotrac. The 25-year-old wants a raise via an extension, which led to his decision to hold out from training camp activities.
With Cook leading the way, Buffalo ranked ninth in the NFL, averaging 131.2 rushing yards per game. Buffalo’s offense depends heavily on the rushing attack to set up its passing game. Defenses key in on Cook and Allen, and with quick play-action, the quarterback finds a tight end down the seam or a wide receiver streaking into the open.
The inclement weather in Western New York also makes the ground game crucial for late-season games in the bitter cold, with snow blowing in off Lake Erie. A reliable rushing attack becomes even more valuable when passing becomes difficult in harsh conditions.
As the team and Cook work through their salary differences, cooler heads will likely prevail, and the running back should receive his money. Fresh off an MVP campaign, Allen sits firmly within his prime and wants to maximize this window of opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Bills as a whole want to get over the proverbial hump. To this point, the team boasts five consecutive AFC East division titles but only two conference championship defeats to show for it. The organization hopes Cook and management can reach an agreement that avoids disrupting the regular season preparation.