The more time goes on, the more Buffalo Bills running back James Cook looks like he will be playing on the final year of his rookie contract.
With the franchise this offseason doing a host of extensions for its stars, despite Cook being vocal about wanting a new deal first before any re-signings took place, it does make us wonder when/if the Bills will offer Cook an extension.
Khalil Shakir, Josh Allen, Greg Rousseau, and Terrel Bernard have all signed extensions (all four-plus years), and now we have another star who has put to pen to paper, and once again, Cook has been left out.
Corner Christian Benford signed a four-year, $76 million deal, and yet another key piece of Sean McDermott's defense is staying put with the AFC East champs.
With another player being re-signed, we now have to seriously consider whether Cook will get an extension or play in the final year of his rookie deal.
Thought to want around $15 million APY, Cook continues to wait for his chance at the negotiating table. However, as time goes on and others get extensions, we think James might not even make it to the table.
The value of the running back was thought to be back in vogue after Saquon Barkley's season in 2024, but Buffalo appears unmoved, instead signing key players to other positions.
There is still time to get an extension done, but the more others get their new contracts signed, the less salary cap pie there is for James, and right now, his future beyond 2025 might not be with the Bills as a result.