Bills, James Cook Contract Talks Feature $20M Buzz and Push for ‘Middle Ground’
By Adam Schultz | June 2, 2025
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is seeking a new contract, but the two sides haven’t found common ground yet—and the gap might be wider than expected.
Cook was notably absent as the Bills kicked off voluntary OTAs. While missing optional workouts isn’t cause for alarm, a potential training camp holdout could create more serious concerns for Buffalo.
The 2024 Pro Bowler is believed to be targeting a deal in the range of $15 million per year—or more—which puts him in the same salary tier as the NFL’s highest-paid running backs. But with just $1.6 million in cap space remaining (per Over The Cap), the Bills sit at the bottom of the league in financial flexibility after extending several key players this offseason.
NFL insider Peter Schrager discussed the situation on The Pat McAfee Show, noting that a compromise will be needed for a deal to happen.
“I don’t know if it’s $20 million [per year], but it’s definitely higher than what the Bills are willing to offer right now,” Schrager said. “They want to take care of James, but not at the current asking price. So, they’ll need to meet somewhere in the middle.”
Cook likely sees himself in the upper echelon of backs like Saquon Barkley ($20.6M APY), Christian McCaffrey ($19M), and Jonathan Taylor ($14M). From his perspective, he’s earned a seat at that table.
But unless Buffalo can pull off some serious salary cap maneuvering, a deal this offseason looks unlikely. That leaves Cook facing the prospect of playing out the final year of his rookie contract—something most players prefer to avoid, especially when a long-term payday is on the line.
At this point, both sides must work toward a compromise. Whether that happens soon—or at all—remains to be seen.
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