Running backs Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley signed contract extensions this offseason. Could James Cook be the next running back to ink a new deal?
There’s growing optimism Cook and the Bills can reach a contract agreement by training camp, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Both sides are motivated to get a deal done and have been in talks since the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Bills veterans report to training camp on July 22.
‘Everything is a business, so no hard feelings,’ Cook said last month at Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp, via the team’s official website. ‘Everything gonna work how it’s supposed to work.’
The Bills have rewarded extensions to multiple key players this offseason. Quarterback Josh Allen, defensive end Greg Rousseau, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford have all signed extensions.
Cook is in the final year of his rookie deal. He’s due to make $5.2 million in base salary, per Over the Cap.
Cook said in February on Instagram Live that he hoped his next contract would pay him an annual average of $15 million. However, the running back market has since gone up.
Barkley’s new extension made him the first $20-plus million (per year) running back in NFL history. Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $35.89 million contract as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Cook is coming off a second straight Pro Bowl season in which he tied an NFL-high with 16 rushing touchdowns. He’s produced two consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,200 yards from scrimmage.
The Bills originally drafted Cook in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia.
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