Bills Searching for Solutions as James Cook Skips OTAs Amid Contract Dispute
The Buffalo Bills’ offseason workouts kicked off with some troubling developments on the offensive front.
Head coach Sean McDermott revealed Tuesday that newly acquired edge rusher Joey Bosa will be sidelined until training camp. However, that wasn’t the only blow to the team’s plans — star running back James Cook remains absent from Organized Team Activities (OTAs), leaving the Bills scrambling for answers.
Cook, a former second-round pick out of Georgia, has yet to report to OTAs. While McDermott has tried to downplay the situation, the ongoing nature of Cook’s holdout makes it clear the issue is far from resolved.
“We’re staying in contact the way you’d expect a player and coach to,” McDermott said. “James will be here when he’s ready, and we’ll go from there.”
The root of the problem is unchanged: Cook is seeking a new contract worth over $15 million annually following consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The Bills, however, have been hesitant to meet those demands.
While the team focused on locking up several young core players earlier this offseason, Cook was notably left out — and he’s no longer waiting quietly. With little leverage remaining in a contract year, Cook is using his absence to send a message.
Despite public reassurances from the organization that the situation will be resolved, Cook seems poised to continue applying pressure, setting the stage for a standoff that could cast a shadow over the team’s offseason.
Leave a Reply