The Bills have struggled to meet the lofty expectations set by fans in recent years. While the team has reestablished its dominance in the AFC East, that success has yet to translate into conference supremacy.

The roster is well-balanced on both offense and defense. However, the offensive unit has now been hit with troubling news that could impact Josh Allen’s hopes for a deep postseason run.

Josh Allen receives concerning update on key Bills teammate

Since Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots in 2020, the Bills have become the dominant force in the AFC East. Still, postseason success has remained just out of reach.

Buffalo boasts one of the most talented rosters in the league, particularly on offense with Josh Allen leading the charge. But a recent setback involving one of his top weapons could prove to be a major obstacle in their Super Bowl quest.

James Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract. While he remains under team control, he’s reportedly seeking a contract extension this offseason—one that has yet to materialize and doesn’t appear to be close.

The former Georgia standout knows his value, but in a league that continues to undervalue running backs, landing a lucrative deal won’t be easy. As a result, he’s chosen to express his frustration with the front office after negotiations stalled.

Although Cook took part in mandatory minicamp and the early stages of training camp, he missed Wednesday’s practice—the third day of camp. According to reports, he is holding out until a new contract is reached, opting not to risk injury ahead of free agency in 2026.

Will James Cook play for the Bills in 2025?

James Cook remains under contract with the Bills for the 2025 season. Once it ends, he’s set to hit free agency, and despite being a solid contributor, there’s no guarantee he’ll have suitors lined up if the situation doesn’t improve.

The Bills value Cook’s contributions, but his asking price may be too steep for the front office. A continued holdout could lead to financial penalties and might ultimately hurt his market value if he’s seen as unwilling to play under his current deal.

Everything looked fine for Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane until Sunday. When Josh Allen and the rest of the players started to get ready to practice, running back James Cook remained in street clothes and watched the session from outside.

Beane spoke to Sal Capaccio of WGR and said that Cook’s plan was “not something they were fully aware of until shortly before practice” and that the hope is to have Cook back on the field soon. The player told the reason he wasn’t practicing was “business.” Beane didn’t sound too happy with Cook’s modus operandi.

“At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here,” Beane added. “This is my ninth season and have never had a player miss practice due to a contract, so it’s disappointing for me.” However, it seems like there is no bad blood, just mere business. Beane added that there’s been “constant communication” with Cook, who is in the last year of his rookie contract.

Who is James Cook’s backup?

As of right now, NFL veteran Ty Johnson is serving as RB2. Johnson has been on the Lions, before spending his next three years playing for the Jets, and finally landing on the Bills in 2023.

Johnson’s first year on the Bills was discreet, posting only 132 yards. However, last season he saw an upgrade as he racked up 497 yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns. He was very productive for his role.

Cook is likely to stay

The rumblings around the NFL are that Cook will remain on the Bills roster. It’s just a matter of time for both parties to get to an agreement. However, Cook might notice some desperation for Beane after publicly saying there is disappointment as how the issue’s been managed and that this is the first time someone is holding out.

Cook might feel like he has some leverage to pressure Bean. This is the time to get the best deal. The running back also has the endorsement of quarterback Josh Allen. In 2024, Cook was the most productive weapon for the Bills as he led the team in both scrimmage yards (1,267) and total touchdowns (18).

Speaking on NFL Network‘s “Back Together Weekend” on Sunday, Allen let everyone know how highly he thinks of Cook. Though he avoided to weigh in on the negotiations between the player and the team, the quarterback’s praise for Cook’s work ethic may give Beane plenty to think about.

“I’ll tell you what he is, one of the best practicing players I’ve ever been around,” Allen said of Cook. “… I don’t get to control anything about off-the-field stuff but god, I frickin’ love that guy. He plays so hard, he plays the right way, he’s very selfless, and again, he’s just an awesome human being.”

James Cook’s contract situation in Buffalo

Cook, who turns 26 in September, is entering the final of his four-year rookie deal with the Bills. However, there has been little progress on contract talks this offseason, as the front office has so far been reluctant to meet his salary demands.

While Cook expects to be paid $15 million per year, it appears that Beane and company aren’t sure he’s worth that kind of money yet. However, with Allen now stressing Cook’s importance for his offense, the Bills may want to reconsider their stance ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Cook believes a new deal will get done

In the meantime, Cook has been acting like a true professional. Instead of holding out, he showed up to mandatory minicamp and continues to work under Sean McDermott in training camp. After all, he is confident that an agreement will be reached soon.

“I mean, however it happens, it’s going to get done, wherever it happens,” Cook said after Thursday’s practice in the second day of training camp. “I deserve what I want, what I need, and it’s eventually going to happen.”

Beane hints at Bills’ intentions with Cook

Whether Allen’s words have an effect on his teammate’s situation remains to be seen. A day before Cook addressed the media, Beane admitted his intention is to extend the running back’s stay with the Bills, citing the salary cap as a stumbling block.

“Sometimes you can’t get on the same page or sometimes you’re trying to fit it in. There’s times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn’t make it work,” Beane said. “But I can tell you, I’m hopeful when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue.”

One of Josh Allen’s primary offensive weapons has been absent from training camp, as he continues to hold out while his situation with the franchise remains unresolved.

While little is known at this point about a potential resolution between both sides, Beane remains confident that a deal will eventually be reached — and that Cook will be able to start next year’s preparations alongside his teammates.

“James is a competitive dude. He’s a stud. He’s a great teammate,” the GM said in his press conference. “He wants to be here. He loves ball. So many of the things that we learned about James through the scouting process — and it’s been fun to watch him grow and mature on and off the field. He’s got a calmness to him.

“Of course, who doesn’t want to get paid? And that’s the hard part of this job, is I do want to pay them all. I mean, I really do, especially the ones that are working hard, they’re producing on the field, their teammates love them, the fans love them. James fits Buffalo. But sometimes, you know, you can’t get on the same page or sometimes, you’re trying to fit it in. Or sometimes, guys have left here that we really wanted, we just couldn’t make it work. But I can tell you, I’m hopeful when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white, and blue.”

The good relationship between both sides

While James Cook’s contract situation with the Bills has yet to reach a resolution, GM Brandon Beane emphasized that the relationship between both sides remains strong — though, of course, each party is looking out for its own interests.

“We’ve always had a good relationship,” the GM said of Cook. “As I’ve said all along, I love James Cook. I want nothing more — you know how I am, I want to draft, develop, re-sign our own. It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap. And sometimes it’s not — you can look at it and say, well, you go this website or whatever, they could fit him in if they did this and this.

“But we also have to look at ’26, ’27, and beyond because you can walk yourself into one of those years where you’re like, oh man, there’s not a lot of guys we can take down on those years. We would have to trade or cut someone that we wouldn’t want to lose. So, it’s not only 2025 when we’re doing a deal with him or any other player. So, all those things have to make sense for us to fit it in.“

He also added: “But, love James. He looks good. You can tell he’s been working. I thought he looked good in June camp and I think everyone knows I’m going to have an open dialogue with the players, that’s just who I am. And we’ll let the business take care of itself.”

James Cook’s role in the Bills’ offense

With uncertainty still looming over the running back’s future with the team, failing to reach an agreement would represent a significant loss for Sean McDermott. Since arriving in Buffalo in 2022, he has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. He’s also caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven touchdowns.

While it’s still unclear whether he’ll take the field under Sean McDermott during camp, the talented running back — a key piece in Josh Allen’s offense — will be present for preparations, showing support for his teammates.

The news was reported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, who shared the update through his official X account (formerly Twitter), noting Cook’s decision amid an unresolved contract situation.

“As the #Bills report to camp, sources say 2x Pro Bowl RB James Cook will be there, though it remains to be seen how involved he’ll be on the field,” the insider stated.

He also added: “Cook took part in June minicamp and wants to win a Super Bowl in Buffalo. But after a 23-TD season, he still expects a new deal.”

What is Cook’s current status with the Bills?

James Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2025, carrying a base salary of $5.271 million. The running back is reportedly seeking a contract extension that would place him among the highest-paid players at his position, with figures suggesting he’s targeting at least $15 million per season. However, the Bills have historically shown reluctance to commit long-term deals to running backs in that price range.

Despite the contractual uncertainty, Cook intends to participate in the Bills’ training camp. He was present at the mandatory minicamp, though he did not attend the voluntary phases of the offseason program. Coming off an excellent 2024 season where he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive year and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns, Cook remains a pivotal piece of Josh Allen‘s offense.

James Cook joined the Bills in 2022, meaning he will now begin his final year of his rookie contract. While the RB has yet to reach an agreement with the franchise on a contract extension, General Manager Beane made it clear that Cook will remain under head coach Sean McDermott’s command not only this season but also in the years to come.

“He will be here this year and hopefully beyond,” the GM Brandon Beane told Pat McAfee. “We love James and we would love nothing more than to keep him here longer term.”

The numbers of the former Georgia Bulldogs player back up his request to renegotiate his contract moving forward: Cook has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and last year he tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.

Beane draws curious comparison to Tom Brady’s Patriots

Despite being fierce AFC East rivals, Brandon Beane didn’t hesitate to highlight a specific trait of that Tom Brady-led team, which, alongside head coach Bill Belichick, built a lasting dynasty with the New England Patriots.

Speaking specifically during a conversation with Pat McAfee, the GM pointed to the impressive success achieved in Foxborough, despite the Patriots not having a standout wide receiver corps during much of their dynasty run.

“Look at Tom Brady, when we’re talking about some of these teams who have won Super Bowls. Look at New England. How many great, historic receivers did they have in their Super Bowl teams? But the Patriots, they were good up front, they had a good quarterback, they always had some type of run game. … There’s 100 different ways you can build it, and we’re not against good receivers.

“When you’re paying Josh Allen what you’re paying him, you’ve got to make some concessions somewhere,” Beane said. “We like our receivers, we feel strong about our receivers. And, in our opinion, it wasn’t the deepest receiver class to be trying to peg a player that would fit in our top four.”

James Cook arrived in Orchard Park in 2022, and slowly became an important weapon for Allen throughout his appearances during the season. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, the running back is seeking a contract extension that matches his performance level, something Beane stated he is not considering at the moment.

“I love Jimbo, proud of his success, just like these other guys that we got extended,” Beane told reporters from the Annual League Meeting via NFL.com. “I don’t talk about negotiations, I would say his reps and him did put it out there that we did talk, so I’m not sharing anything new. It didn’t lead to anything as far as closing in on a deal, so we moved onto the guys that we were more on the same page with.

“At this point, we’re on to the draft, once we got (Christian) Benford done. I don’t see us doing any deals anytime soon.” While Cook waits eagerly for a resolution to his situation, the Bills‘ GM is clear that, for now, a short-term solution is far from being reached.

Since his arrival with the Bills, Cook has played a total of 49 games, being a starter in 29 of them. He has scored a total of 20 rushing touchdowns, 16 of which came in the most recent season. In his three years in Buffalo, he has rushed for 2,638 yards, making him one of the main weapons for Sean McDermott in his offense.

Cook’s message about his renewal

James Cook knows he is a key piece of the team in Buffalo, and for that reason, he believes a contract extension that reflects his level of play should be carried out to keep him with the franchise. However, for Brandon Beane, this is not a priority at the moment.

Weeks ago, the former Georgia Bulldogs player expressed to the press his intentions to reach an agreement and secure a lucrative contract extension in order to continue playing for the Bills.

“I just feel like we’re deserving of it. Like, why not? We work all of our life to get paid. Feed me the big bucks,” the RB stated via Ryan Talbot of New York Upstate. “I want to go chase the highest of the highest, and I’m going to keep doing it. I’m going to stand on what I stand on. And I don’t want to feel like a cancer at all. Because I don’t like all that attention and all that. That’s not me, honestly. I’m just standing on business and what I deserve. That’s it. What I deserve.”

The highest-paid running backs in the NFL

James Cook wants to join the club of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, after requesting a $15 million per year contract. Currently, the ranking is led by Super Bowl champion with the Eagles, Saquon Barkley, followed by Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers. Here’s the top 10, according to profootballnetwork.com:

• Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) – $20.6 million
• Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) – $19 million
• Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) – $14 million
• Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) – $12.25 million
• Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) – $12 million
• James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) – $9.5 million
• David Montgomery (Detroit Lions) – $9.125 million
• Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots) – $9 million
• Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) – $8.5 million
• Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers) – $8.3 million

In 2022, the Bills found a hidden gem in the second round of the NFL Draft. With the 63rd overall pick, they selected James Cook, the younger brother of talented running back Dalvin Cook.

James has improved each year within a strong offense led by Josh Allen. However, with his rookie contract nearing its end, the Bills must address his future sooner rather than later.

James Cook warns the Bills about his future

Last season, the Bills reached the AFC Championship game largely thanks to two key players: Josh Allen and James Cook. While the quarterback naturally garners more attention, Cook has quietly become an essential piece of Buffalo’s offense.

The Bills’ offense thrived in 2024, with Cook finally bringing stability to the running back position. However, his long-term future with the team remains uncertain as he awaits a contract extension.

Cook is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in the 2025 NFL season. Since his deal does not include a fifth-year option, he is eager to see whether the Bills will offer him an extension this offseason.

The former Georgia standout is widely regarded as one of the league’s top running backs. Aware of his value, he has sent a clear message to the front office regarding what he expects in a new deal.

“I want to go chase the highest of the highest and I’m going to keep doing it,” Cook said, per The Nightcap Show. “I’m going to stand on what I stand on. And I don’t want to feel like a cancer at all. Because I don’t like all that attention and all that. That’s not me, honestly. I’m just standing on business and what I deserve. That’s it. What I deserve.”

Could James Cook leave Buffalo this offseason?

The running back market has taken several hits in recent years. Outside of stars like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey, many elite backs have struggled to receive lucrative contracts. James Cook could face a similar challenge.

Despite his impressive performances, Cook’s asking price may be too steep for the Bills. Reports suggest, which would make him the second-highest-paid running back in the league—trailing only Christian McCaffrey.

That’s why most of the star RBs won’t be available after the first five or six picks. Of course, we already know Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor, and Najee Harris will be studs. But what about those guys under the radar?

So, if you’re looking to nail your NFL Fantasy draft and make the most value of every single pick, check out our list of the top 3 sleeper rookie running backs expected to make an immediate impact.

NFL Fantasy: 3 Sleeper Rookie RBs To Target

3. Breece Hall – New York Jets

When was the last time someone told you to target a New York Jets player? Well, Breece Hall happens to be the real deal. He’ll be their RB1 from Week 1, and he’s got elite hands in the passing game to go along with impressive tackle-breaking skills.

Hall actually led all CFB players in forced missed tackles over the past couple of seasons. He’s explosive, has terrific lateral quickness, and won’t have any sort of competition for touches on a team looking to lean in the running game.

2. Pierre Strong Jr. – New England Patriots

The New England Patriots just placed James White on the PUP list, and you know Bill Belichick won’t hesitate to pull the plug and just trust the next man up. That happens to be Pierre Strong Jr., who’s one of the best pass-catching backs in his class.

While primarily used as a pure runner, Strong Jr. impressed as a receiver when the Jackrabbits needed his reliable hands. He’s physical, won’t shy away from contact, and is tailor-made to be the Pats’ signature goal-line pass-catching back.

1. James Cook – Buffalo Bills

Ever heard of Dalvin Cook? Well, his younger brother, James Cook, also happens to be a stud. As a matter of fact, some claim that he’s got better hands than the Minnesota Vikings star when it comes to the passing game.

The Buffalo Bills haven’t had a reliable back in years. Devin Singletary and Zach Moss have been underwhelming at best, and most insiders expect Cook to take over and serve as Josh Allen’s latest elite weapon.