Plus, examining the state of Buffalo’s wide receivers, led by Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.
So far this offseason, there has been at least one change involving Pro Bowl running back James Cook, who, during the Buffalo Bills’ mandatory minicamp debuted a new nameplate on the back of his jersey that reads “Cook III.”
Cook stated he had wanted to make the change for some time but wasn’t able to finalize his new nameplate until the necessary documents had been filed with the league offices.
But that change pales in comparison to what Cook truly wants to see this year: a new, lucrative contract extension from a Bills team that benefitted from Cook’s league-leading and franchise record-tying 16 rushing touchdowns last year.
Cook believes he deserves to be paid on par with the top backs in the NFL, but as the Bills prepare for the start of training camp, the two sides have not yet come to an agreement on a new contract extension.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining where things stand between the Bills and their talented running back.
Where do things stand between the Bills and James Cook?
Besides a huge uptick in scoring, last year, Cook’s 3.1 yards before contact per rush were the fifth most among all running backs, and Cook’s 2,638 career rushing yards are the most of any running back selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The talented running back has made it publicly known he’s seeking a new deal worth at least $15 million per season, which would place him below Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey and on the same level as Derrick Henry among the highest-paid running backs. But without a new deal, Cook could report to training camp but do a hold-in and not practice.
Cook was a full participant at the three-day mandatory minicamp, stating “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,” when asked about his participation at mandatory minicamp after expressing his desire for a reworked contract.
- Where do things stand with RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills? – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- ‘Door is open’ for Bills and James Cook to hammer out new contract this summer – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills’ James Cook gets $15 million contract holdout update – The Sporting News
- Insider Provides Promising Update On James Cook Contract Standoff – Heavy.com
- Bills’ James Cook Contract Stalemate: $15M Holdout Insight – BVM Sports
- Buffalo Bills face familiar question ahead of 2025 training camp – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- One lingering question for every NFL team as the league’s summer break begins – The Athletic (subscription required)
- ESPN Announces Contract Update For Buffalo Bills and James Cook – Athlon Sports
Even more Bills news
Previewing the state of the Bills’ wide receivers; learn how Buffalo Joe Andreessen is vying for an expanded role in his second season; find out what special technology will make Buffalo’s new stadium stand out from its peers; see where Jim Kelly and Josh Allen ranked among a new list of the NFL’s all-time quarterbacks; and more!
- Bills training camp 2025 wide receiver preview: What will Keon Coleman’s season look like? – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Buffalo Bills’ biggest ‘offseason surprise’ competing for expanded role in Year 2 – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Spencer Brown excited to play in Bills’ new Highmark Stadium for one main reason – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Two Buffalo Bills quarterbacks ranked among among NFL’s top 25 all-time – Democrat & Chronicle
- Dolphins trade away two players who have trashed Buffalo Bills in past – newyorkupstate.com
- How Jalen Ramsey trade can shake up Buffalo Bills’ path to Super Bowl LX – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Mike Vrabel put his stamp on the Patriots, but will it lead to more wins in 2025? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills vs. Rams 2024 highlights: Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford trade blows – Buffalo Rumblings
- Do you remember your first Bills game at Highmark Stadium? – Buffalo Rumblings
- Opinion: Bills’ focus on “culture guys” speaks to motivation, not morality – Buffalo Rumblings
- 90 Buffalo Bills players in 90 days: LB Baylon Spector – Buffalo Rumblings