Despite a contract impasse with the Buffalo Bills and the fact that he put his house up for sale in Buffalo, running back James Cook "will play for the Bills next season," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Things are "not great" between Cook and the Bills. The 25-year-old has a $5.3 million salary for the 2025 season, which is the last year of his rookie deal, and he's made it known he's looking for at least $15 million per year. Buffalo would like to sign him to a long-term extension, but at the moment the two sides aren't remotely close in negotiations. The former second-rounder (63rd overall) in 2022 out of Georgia has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 16 regular-season games in 2024. Cook will be Buffalo's RB1 again in 2025, but fantasy managers must plan for TD regression, and the Bills could be looking to split the workload more with Ty Johnson and Ray Davis.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the team isn't close to getting a long-term contract extension done with running back James Cook. "I don't see us getting something done anytime soon ..we're onto the draft .just because we don't get something done this year doesn't mean we can't get something done before he's a free agent," Beane said. Cook made it clear in February that he wants a contract extension and wants the ball more moving forward. The 25-year-old played only 48 percent of the team's offensive snaps in 2024, although he was very productive with 18 total touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. Cook's 16 rushing touchdowns -- he also had 1,009 yards on 207 rushing attempts -- led the league in 2024. Still, the Bills aren't making it a priority to give Cook an extension as he heads into the final year of his current deal. Cook will face obvious TD regression in 2025.
James Cook Seeking New Contract For $15 Million Annually
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is seeking a contract extension with the organization. He wants a deal that would pay him $15 million per year. On Wednesday, Cook went on Instagram Live and specifically said, "15 mill." The former Georgia Bulldog is entering the final season of his rookie deal after rushing for at least 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. Cook found the end zone 18 times in 2024. A $15 million salary would put Cook as the second-highest-paid running back in the NFL behind only Christian McCaffrey.
James Cook Scores Two Touchdowns In Loss To Chiefs
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed 13 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He also caught all three of his targets for an additional 49 yards through the air. Given that Cook had just 2.2 yards per carry against the Chiefs back in Week 11, he bounced back in a huge way this Sunday. He was highly efficient on the ground, productive through the air, and carried the Bills to a pair of scores. Simply put, he kept Buffalo in the game until the final seconds. Cook totaled 19 touchdowns between the regular season and playoffs, establishing himself as a steady RB1 option for fantasy football. Even with Ray Davis pushing for more opportunities, Cook should continue to be viewed as a top-10 option at his position heading into 2025 fantasy drafts.
James Cook Seeking Revenge Against Dominant Defense
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is seeking revenge against the Kansas City Chiefs after they bottled him up during the regular season. When Cook faced the Chiefs back in Week 11, he rushed just nine times for 20 yards. He did catch five passes in that contest, but they amounted to just seven total receiving yards. That was Cook's worst game of the season, so he'll certainly be looking for revenge when the Bills head to Kansas City for the AFC Championship on Sunday. However, delivering a big game won't be easy. The Chiefs have been lethal against running backs this year, allowing the third-fewest rushing yards, fifth-fewest catches, and fourth-fewest receiving yards to the position during the 2024 regular season. Furthermore, they didn't surrender a single receiving touchdown to running backs. The Chiefs' run defense did falter a little last week, allowing 88 yards on 18 carries to Joe Mixon, but that may have been an outlier. Cook remains this week's No. 2 fantasy running back behind Saquon Barkley, but his matchup against Kansas City drastically reduces his floor.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed 17 times for 67 yards and caught three passes for 15 yards in the team's 27-25 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Cook averaged just a hair under four yards per carry against Baltimore, one of the league's stingiest run defenses. All three of Buffalo's touchdowns came on the ground. Quarterback Josh Allen punched in two of the scores. The other was given to backup running back Ray Davis, despite Cook getting Buffalo to the one-yard line. Another tough run defense is next when the Bills travel to Kansas City for a matchup with the Chiefs.
James Cook Faces Toughest Run Defense In Divisional Round
The Ravens' dominant run defense has kept running backs in check all season and did just that when Buffalo Bills running back James Cook faced them in Week 4. Cook failed to log double-digit carries in three of 17 games this season, one of which came against the Ravens. The unit has also allowed just eight rushing touchdowns. Cook will need to be utilized in the passing game. The Ravens surrender the fourth-most receiving yards to the position but Ty Johnson has thrived in the pass-catching role for the Bills. Cook is a risky start for DFS lineups.
James Cook Dominates Denver’s Defense On Wild-Card Weekend
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards and a touchdown in the team's 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the first round of the playoffs. The Bills attacked Denver's run defense early and often. Cook picked up 62 yards and his score on the team's first two drives. Cook's 23 carries were a season-high mark for rush attempts and touches. Unfortunately, he wasn't involved, or needed, in the passing game (zero targets). A matchup against one of the league's top run defenses (Baltimore) is next for Cook and the Buffalo Bills.
James Cook Leads Buffalo Rushing Attack In Postseason
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook led the team with 1,009 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns during the regular season. After limited usage in Week 18 due to Buffalo resting their stars, Cook brings fresh legs into the Wild Card matchup against the Denver Broncos. While the Broncos have been stingier against the run than the pass over the last four weeks, the Bills are heavy home favorites (nine points). If the game script follows oddsmakers' predictions, Cook could get more opportunities than usual. He's a safe option for DFS lineups.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed 10 times for 28 yards and a touchdown in the team's 23-16 loss against the New England Patriots. The yardage was enough to push Cook over the 1,000-yard mark. His one-yard touchdown plunge tied the franchise's single-season record for rushing touchdowns (16) and placed him in a tie atop the NFL with Derrick Henry. Surprisingly, that score came in the third quarter in a game where starters played sparingly. Rookie Ray Davis led the team in carries (15). Cook and the Bills will host the Denver Broncos in the first round of the playoffs.
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