Bills Central

Former Pro Bowler gives pointed advice to Bills about James Cook's contract extension

After an excellent season, Bills running back James Cook is looking for a contract extension and his brother, former Viking Dalvin Cook, had some strong words of advice for Buffalo.
Brian Letscher|
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) reacts in the closing minutes of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship.
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) reacts in the closing minutes of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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In the third year of his rookie deal, James Cook exceeded expectations, racking up 1,267 yards from scrimmage, a conference-leading 18 touchdowns and a second straight Pro Bowl selection in 2024.  Tack on the 134 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the AFC championship loss against the Kansas City Chiefs and there is no question that Cook is a highly valuable piece of Buffalo's offense.

With the season finished, there has been much speculation that Cook's elite performance adds up to a hefty contract extension. One person who knows a bit about 25-year-old running backs getting contract extensions is Cooks' older brother, Dalvin, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings who spent last season with the Cowboys. In 2020, Dalvin signed an extension with the Vikings after his third season for five years and $63 million -- an average of $12.6 per year.

Dalvin took to social media the other day, speaking with Michael Schwartz from WKBW in Buffalo, and was very clear about what he thought the Bills need to do in regard to his brother, "He's still scratching the surface, he's still a young back and as you look at the numbers they're only on the rise."

Dalvin continued, "...you got no choice but to lock him up for the next few years, give him that comfort of [he's there], [he's] a Bill, let's go keep winning."

James Cook
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates with Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) after scoring a touchdown | Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notably, James was also on Instagram recently, pinning a comment from himself on someone else's post about his extension, citing a very hefty number of "15 mill year", which, according to Sportrac,would make Cook the second highest paid running back in the NFL in 2025, behind only the Niners' Christian McCaffrey.

While the Bills Mafia would agree with Dalvin -- that Buffalo needs "to lock [Cook} up for the next few years" -- it's highly unlikely they can afford his current asking price.

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Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

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