Buffalo Bills running back James. He made his request known by commenting under a JPAFootball post on Instagram and later unfollowed the Bills while deleting all team-related posts from his profile.
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Cook is set to earn $5.142 million this season.
If Buffalo meets his demands, Cook would become the second highest-paid running back in the league, trailing only the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, who earns an average of $19 million per year.
Cook has a strong case for a lucrative deal, having posted consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Last season, he tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (16) alongside the Ravens’ Derrick Henry and the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs.
He is also the Bills’ first 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy accomplished the feat in 2016 and 2017.
Additionally, his 16 rushing touchdowns matched the Bills’ single-season franchise record set by O.J. Simpson in 1975.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook contract extension this offseason, making his demands public by stating on social media that he’s aiming for $15 million per year. While that figure might be ambitious, he is still expected to land a significant new deal this summer.
Cook had an impressive 2024 season, rushing for 1,009 yards with an average of 4.9 yards per carry. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns (16), tied with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs. As a dual-threat, he contributed 258 receiving yards and two touchdowns, adding three more scores in the postseason, including twice in the AFC Championship Game. Buffalo Bills running back James.
It’s no surprise Cook wants an extension after such a standout season. The former Georgia Bulldog is set to enter a contract year in 2025 as a 2022 second-round pick, earning a base salary of just $5.1 million—well below market value for his production.
A $15 million annual salary may be unrealistic, as it would make Cook the second-highest-paid running back in the NFL behind Christian McCaffrey ($16 million per year). Recent trends in the running back market suggest teams are reluctant to hand out such large contracts.
For example, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.7 million deal ($12.5 million per year) before he went on to rush for 2,005 yards and win Super Bowl LIX. Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs signed a $12 million per-year contract with the Green Bay Packers, which includes a team-friendly structure. Currently, only five running backs earn more than $10 million annually, but Cook is well-positioned to join that group.
A reasonable offer from the Bills could be a three-year, $36.6 million extension, paying Cook $12.2 million per year—higher than Jacobs but slightly below Barkley. The deal could also include incentives to push his earnings closer to his desired $15 million per season.
Cook would play the 2025 season on his rookie contract, with the extension kicking in for 2026 when the Bills are projected to have around $20.6 million in effective cap space, according to OverTheCap. GM Brandon Beane will need to manage the team’s finances carefully in the coming years.
Buffalo has a track record of rewarding homegrown talent, as seen with extensions for Ed Oliver, Dawson Knox, Matt Milano, and Dion Dawkins. Cook appears to be next in line. Buffalo Bills running back James.
After a stellar 2024 season, Cook is rightfully seeking a major payday. While his $15 million request may be a stretch, he is still poised to become one of the highest-paid running backs in the league when negotiations are finalized.
