Running back James Cook has finalized a four-year, $48 million extension with the Buffalo Bills, which features $30 million guaranteed, as confirmed by his agents, Zac Hiller and Matt Leist from LAA, to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
According to Bills general manager Brandon Beane, Cook completed his new contract, which secures his position with the team until 2029, just before the morning practice on Wednesday.
This new agreement follows Cook’s return to practice on Tuesday, which came after a hold-in lasting over a week that caused him to miss Buffalo’s initial preseason game. On Tuesday, he donned a full uniform and was actively involved throughout the practice session. Though he skipped four practices during the hold-in period, he participated in warm-ups with the team ahead of the preseason matchup.
Beane noted, “We reached an understanding that practicing was necessary if we were to revisit negotiations.” He also stated that both sides demonstrated good faith, and once Cook returned to practice, everyone put in significant effort.
The completion of the contract occurred around 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday, as stated by Beane. Hiller remarked, “James could only see his future as a Buffalo Bill. We are incredibly grateful to the whole Bills organization and pleased we could accomplish this.”
The Bills had consistently expressed their desire to compensate Cook throughout the offseason, with discussions commencing early, pausing before the draft, and resuming around the beginning of training camp. Beane mentioned his concerns about the hold-in possibly being a distraction; however, the team’s core recognized the context, and Cook’s engagement in meetings and walkthroughs proved beneficial.
Beane also highlighted that “being genuine, honest, and straightforward” in communications from both their side and Cook’s led to productive discussions. Cook, who has earned Pro Bowl honors twice and serves as Buffalo’s primary running back, still had to divide responsibilities. Last year, he participated in 47.5% of offensive snaps during the games he played, with Ty Johnson frequently stepping in on crucial downs and Ray Davis also receiving some chances.
“We appreciate what Cook brings to the table, and we view him as a player capable of handling all three downs. We believe he can take on more responsibility, but we also want to leverage our other options and keep him energized,” Beane stated on Wednesday. “We believe this approach maximizes his potential. While he may be categorized as part of the running back group or as a tight end, our goal is to explore various players and skill sets. He possesses a talent that we aim to maintain within this offense.”
As a key player in a record-setting Bills offense, Cook matched a franchise record, held by O.J. Simpson, by achieving 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, ranking fifth in yards gained before contact per run at 3.1. He made considerable progress in the 2024 season, netting a total of 18 touchdowns, which was twice the amount he scored in the last two years combined.
