Buffalo Bills fans hoping for a contract extension for running back James Cook in the near future will likely be disappointed. Despite a series of contract extensions for key players like Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir, Greg Rousseau, Terrel Bernard, and Christian Benford, Cook is still on the final year of his rookie contract for 2025 and hasn’t received a new deal yet. General manager Brandon Beane, who was at the annual league meeting, stated that there are no immediate plans for a contract with Cook.
Beane confirmed that after finalizing Benford’s deal, the team’s focus will shift to the upcoming draft and managing the salary cap, rather than pursuing any new contracts. “Once we got Benford done, I don’t see us doing any deals anytime soon,” Beane said. “We’re gonna focus on the draft, and getting our cap in order.” This doesn’t offer much hope for Cook, who had been hoping for a new contract this offseason. However, Beane made it clear that just because Cook isn’t signed now, it doesn’t rule out a deal before he potentially hits free agency next year.
The Bills are currently prioritizing the draft and working within their salary cap constraints, with only $4.4 million in space remaining, according to Over The Cap. This suggests that Cook’s contract is not a top priority for the team at the moment. Furthermore, Beane noted that the team and Cook aren’t exactly aligned on expectations, which may make it wise for the two sides to revisit negotiations in the future, potentially next offseason.
Despite Cook’s desire for a new deal, it’s increasingly clear that an extension isn’t likely to happen this offseason. The Bills’ decision to focus on other priorities, including draft preparations and salary cap management, means Cook will likely have to wait for a contract resolution. While this doesn’t close the door completely, it certainly indicates that the immediate future won’t include a new deal for Cook.
In the end, while James Cook remains without a new contract, the Bills’ focus on other matters like the draft and cap space leaves the door open for potential negotiations down the road. However, it’s becoming more evident that a contract extension this offseason is unlikely.
