NFL insider Dianni Russini has revealed details about the contract standoff involving Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal and seeking a new contract. Cook has been absent from practice and preseason games as negotiations continue, with the current issue being his high salary expectations. This James Cook contract standoff has become a notable point of discussion within the NFL community.
Russini pointed out that Cook is aiming for a salary around $15 million annually, which some see as excessive compared to similar players. Notably, Kyren Williams from the Los Angeles Rams recently secured a contract worth approximately $11 million per year, and many insiders expect Cook’s deal to align closer to that figure.
“Yeah, it’s certainly not great. We saw Kyren Williams out of LA get paid around $11 million (per year). We know that James has said publicly that he thinks his worth is about $15 million,” Russini said. “Credit to him, he’s shooting high. He knows he’s valuable to this offense, and we saw the effect that Saquon Barkley had on the Philadelphia Eagles and their run.”
—Dianni Russini, NFL Insider
The Uncommon Nature of the Contract Holdout for Buffalo Bills
According to Russini, the situation is unusual for the Bills and their general manager Brandon Beane, who has not previously encountered holdouts during his nine years with the team. This adds a layer of complexity to the negotiations, as the franchise typically avoids contentious salary disputes, making Cook’s absence from training camp unprecedented.
“No one thinks that number is realistic. I think the number makes sense right around Williams, even not a million or two more,” Russini explained. “The only reason this one is slightly bizarre to me is if you just look at the Buffalo Bills’ history and Brandon Beane even said it, he’s been there nine years, they’ve never dealt with anything like this. It’s quite the track record.”
—Dianni Russini, NFL Insider
James Cook posted strong statistics last season, rushing for 1,009 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns on 207 carries. In addition, he caught 32 passes for 258 yards and two receiving touchdowns. The season before, Cook gained 1,122 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 237 carries, underscoring his consistent value to the Buffalo Bills’ offense.
Expectation for Cook’s Return to Practice Amid Contract Talks
Despite missing some practices and a preseason game as part of the ongoing holdout, Bills head coach Sean McDermott has expressed optimism about Cook resuming practice soon. On August 12, McDermott confirmed that conversations with Cook were progressing positively, pointing toward his return.
“I would say that things have changed. Yes, we’ve had conversations with James. The information that we’re getting is that he’s moving in the direction of practicing today,” McDermott said on August 12.
—Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills Head Coach
With Cook expected to rejoin team activities, he remains a vital component of Buffalo’s offensive strategy heading into the 2025 NFL season. The Bills will open their campaign at home on September 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, and Cook’s participation could prove critical to their success.