Plus, final thoughts on who stood out during OTAs
Buffalo Bills’ Pro Bowl running back James Cook is searching for a new contract, and was not present during the team’s voluntary offseason workouts. On Tuesday, the Bills will gather for their mandatory minicamp, and ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said he would not be surprised if Cook continues his absence from the team.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with the latest on why, according to Schefter, Cook “won’t be in Buffalo anytime soon.”
RB James Cook ‘won’t be in Buffalo anytime soon’
According to Schefter, the Bills and James Cook remain far apart in their negotiations over a new contract for the talented running back, who has made back-to-back Pro Bowls, is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, and tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
“You’ve got a guy who’s unhappy with his contractual situation… (He) has basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city,” Schefter said on a recent episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Put his house up for sale… I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon. Again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don’t have a deal done there or by then, does James Cook show up for training camp? Does he risk the penalties that come along in the collective bargaining agreement if he doesn’t show up?”
Cook, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, will make a little more than $5 million this season. He is facing the risk of fines if he misses mandatory minicamp, and the fines would only climb if he holds out during training camp.
- James Cook ‘won’t be in Buffalo anytime soon,’ according to Adam Schefter – Democrat & Chronicle
- NFL insider provides bleak update on Buffalo Bills and James Cook – newyorkupstate.com
- James Cook ‘disconnected’ from Bills organization amid contract dispute, details on what’s next – CBSSports.com
- NFL insider claims James Cook ‘disconnected’ from Buffalo Bills organization – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Ryan O’Halloran: Buffalo Bills, James Cook should consider two-year bridge contract – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Several key players might skip mandatory minicamp this week – ESPN
- Bills Get Grim Update on James Cook’s Future in Buffalo – Heavy.com
- Bills Receive Another Unfortunate Update on James Cook – Newsweek
- Bills-Commanders trade proposal jettisons James Cook in deal involving 3 draft picks – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- 4 James Cook trades Buffalo Bills should consider | Sporting News
- What happens with Bills’ offense if James Cook leaves after 2025? – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Final thoughts from OTAs
From veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore quickly acclimating and second-year wideout Keon Coleman turning heads to rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston making a great first impression, breaking down the final thoughts and observations from Buffalo’s OTAs.
- Elijah Moore builds rapport with new teammates at Bills OTAs – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Why Buffalo Bills receiver Keon Coleman is getting rave reviews this spring – newyorkupstate.com
- 4 revelations from Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator Bobby Babich as OTAs end – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo Bills OTAs Week 2 observations: Keon Coleman battles rookie Maxwell Hairston – newyorkupstate.com
- Bills OTA observations: Maxwell Hairston’s potential, opportunity for Joe Andreessen and more – The Athletic (subscription required)
- With no Josh Allen, Bills backup QBs get plenty of work – WGR 550
Even more Bills news
We find out how defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is always trying to improve; learn where the Bills find themselves among the favorites to win Super Bowl LX; see where the Bills offense ranked in explosive plays last year; and more!
- Ryan O’Halloran: Learning never stops for DaQuan Jones, the Buffalo Bills’ most experienced player – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Buffalo Bills tied for best odds to win Super Bowl LX – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills Ranked 5th In ESPN’s Football Power Index | Bills By The Numbers Ep. 128 – BuffaloBills.com
- NFL explosive play breakdown proves ‘everybody eats’ works well for Buffalo Bills – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills stadium work is near its peak as workers play a bit of catch-up – Buffalo News (subscription required)