Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, 25, enters camp on a positive note. He’s got to be sweating his security as a part of this team. Cook is fresh off the best season of his career. Now, he’s hungry to continue that success and sign a long-term extension that fairly rewards his enormous value to the organization.
Last season, Cook caught everyone’s attention with his spectacular play. He was named MVP, and largely due to a powerful offensive line, he excelled. He finished fifth in the NFL among running backs with a staggering 3.1 yards before contact per rush. He has 5.7 scrimmage yards per touch to rank fourth in this metric. He has a career rushing total of 2,638 yards, the most for any player in his draft class. This accomplishment makes him the most important player for the Bills.
Still, none of those achievements would guarantee Cook’s job with the franchise moving forward. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images His team and representation are reportedly in active discussions on an extension with the Bills. They haven’t been able to come to an agreement just yet. Cook is currently negotiating a deal that could be in the neighborhood of $15 million/year. Even this number does not come close to matching the valuation the Bills have set.
Throughout the process, communication hasn’t closed, and that was key between Cook and the team’s running backs coach, Kelly Skipper. On a weekly basis throughout the offseason, Cook insisted that Skipper call him—a crucial step for Skipper’s evolution from an unrefined athlete into a real basketball player. He took part in all portions of the mandatory minicamp, putting to rest any lingering concerns about his health heading into the 2023 season.
“I’m very, very proud that he’s here and he’s working as hard as he is being on the field with us,” – Josh Allen
Cook’s tireless dedication has certainly made an impression on his teammates. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen lauded Cook’s monster work ethic. For him, it shows Cook’s true desire to be on this team and truly be here for the right reasons. Allen harped on Cook’s talent, stating multiple times that he hoped that would soon be shown in his contract situation.
Cook has taken on a different persona on the field. He now sports “Cook III” on his jersey — a moniker he sometimes used at the college level within Georgia. This alteration demonstrates his development and maturation as a player. He’s got the last few years of his NFL career on which to imprint a body of work.
Skipper emphasized a serious commitment to learn and improve. He reiterated that moving away from offseason training and more into a true practice setting is key to getting players more acclimatized to “football shape.” Simmons added that Cook has to go through team practices and individual drills. This engagement will be especially important for refining his craft in the run-up to the season opener.
“The biggest thing is you can’t stay the same,” – Kelly Skipper
Cook has taken this advice to heart. He expressed his desire to be proactive in his preparation, saying, “I mean, why not? I’m here, I’m part of the team. I’m a leader, so I just got to practice and get a jump.” And that desire to always be better is a perfect fit with Skipper’s belief that players should always be pursuing perfection.
As Cook gets closer to training camp, it’s fair to say that both he and Bills general manager Brandon Beane are excited about his progress. They hope he’ll be able to hit the ground running once practices start. The looming question remains: will Cook’s performance translate into the financial recognition he seeks?
“Because we do a lot, and I think we should value that and all the hard work that we put in on the ground and pass blocking and all those types of things, and I think we should be valued more,” – James Cook
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