Bills urged to pay RB James Cook with 'Super Bowl window' open

Buffalo Bills' running back James Cook is looking for a lucrative contract extension, creating a major question that team brass will have to answer in the coming months.

The Bills will have to figure out how valuable Cook is to their operation, and if his performance warrants such a significant portion of the salary cap allotment. Cook has suggested that he's worth $15+ million per year, which is a super high number, even for a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his prime. Currently in the final season of he rookie deal, Cook is set to count $5.7 million against Buffalo's 2025 salary cap.

"The running back market for years has been depressed, in terms of the financial element of it. I think we're seeing a little bit of a cycling back of the run game in the NFL," said NFL Media analyst Eric Edholm. "If his reported price is around $15 million that puts him, not at the top, but, very close to the top. I think off the top of my head, only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey would average more than that. That would be a deal very similar to what Jonathan Taylor received."

Josh Allen hands off — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen heads in the opposite direction of Buffalo Bills running back James Cook who he handed the ball off to during first half action at the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Appearing on One Bills Live to talk about NFL Power Rankings and top draft prospects, Edholm weighed in on Cook's contract situation and made a case for Buffalo to extend the starting RB at his desired price.

"Obviously, you have to figure out value and how much they matter to your system. As the Bills are still in that Super Bowl window, if you will, whatever that means, I still think you have to consider keeping players like that, even if you have a Ray Davis or a Ty Johnson," said Edholm.

Meanwhile, Bills' general manager Brandon Beane did not have any real negotiation progress to report during a recent podcast appearance.

Despite playing only about 50 percent of offensive snaps, Cook posted a second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. His 18 combined touchdowns were tied for most in the NFL. Cook carried more than 15 times in a game on only four occasions in 2024. Although he was the lead back for a run-heavy offense, Buffalo did not funnel everything through him.

Rookie backup Ray Davis totaled 631 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. Third-down running back Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 15.8 yards per reception. The latter re-signed a two-year free-agent contract earlier this offseason.

Cook is an important piece, but how important? Would the Bills' second-ranked scoring offense instantly regress without him? Those are questions Buffalo must answer.

James Cook TD — Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) dives for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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