James Cook helped power the Bills to the AFC title game last season, co-leading the league in rushing touchdowns and earning his second Pro Bowl in three years. Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, the 25-year-old wants a new contract. The Bills extended several core players this offseason, but Cook hasn’t been one of them. He skipped voluntary workouts, fueling talk he’d sit out minicamp too.
Instead, Cook showed up on Day 1. He hasn’t backed off his contract push, but he’s not leaving money on the table either. It’s a smart move — stay present, stay ready, keep leverage. Whether the front office makes a move or not, Cook’s making his point.
James Cook Reveals Real Reason Behind Joining Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp Amid Contract Dispute
Contract holdouts are a yearly occurrence in the NFL, and each individual decides whether to withhold services. Star pass rushers T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson have both stayed away from team activities this offseason as they wait for their respective teams to pay up, but Cook chose to save himself from fines.
“I like my money. That’s why I’m here,” Cook said, explaining his decision to turn up for the minicamp.
James Cook: “I like my money, that’s why I’m here.”
Cook adds he plan to fully participate in training camp. https://t.co/0S5ePBDmHu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 10, 2025
He was a full participant on the first day of the camp, and suggested he would continue to do so.
“I mean, why not [participate],” Cook said. “I’m here, I’m part of the team and just not practicing, I’m a leader, so just got to practice.”
Cook will earn $5.271 million from his rookie contract next season. The Bills still have the opportunity to apply the franchise tag on him, but neither side prefers to go that route, and it could lead the Bills to upset a key player.
The former Georgia Bulldog found his footing in Buffalo’s offense during the 2023 campaign. He played in 17 games, totaling 1,122 yards and two rushing touchdowns. In the air, he added 44 catches, 445 yards, and four receiving scores en route to his maiden Pro Bowl.
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Cook took his game to another level in 2024, making the Pro Bowl again and appearing in all but one game. He tied Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with 16, and posted 1,009 rushing yards, 32 catches, 258 receiving yards, and two scores through the air.
Understandably so, Cook now wants a new deal, and a big one as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Earlier this offseason, he posted on social media that he wanted $15 million per year, which would make him the third-highest paid RB in the league. But that’s unlikely to happen, and he might have to post another season of over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns to convince the Bills of that number.