As James Cook heads into the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, the Buffalo Bills running back is reportedly seeking a more lucrative deal. However, the team has already committed salary cap space to key players like Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir, Greg Rousseau, Terrel Bernard, and Christian Benford—leaving limited room for Cook’s $15 million average annual salary request.
Currently, the relationship between Cook and the team is reportedly strained, and it’s possible he might skip training camp. Despite that, ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg notes that many of Buffalo’s recent re-signings were on modest deals, which she credits to the team’s strong culture. Players are seemingly willing to accept less money to remain in Buffalo, a franchise with a winning tradition and an MVP quarterback at the helm.
Getzenberg highlights that none of the re-signed players rank at the very top of their position’s pay scale: Allen is the third-highest-paid at QB, while Shakir, Rousseau, Benford, and Bernard fall further down the list. These team-friendly deals reflect a broader desire among players to be part of a stable, successful organization.
If Cook lowered his asking price—perhaps to around $10 million annually—a new deal might be feasible. But with the NFL Draft approaching, the Bills could look to bring in a new running back, which might signal the end of Cook’s tenure in Buffalo. Still, the team’s winning environment and strong culture could play a role in keeping him around beyond 2025.