As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2025 NFL training camp, one storyline has overshadowed all others, the contract standoff with star running back James Cook. Despite back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons and a pivotal role in Buffalo’s high-powered offense, Cook enters camp as the most obvious trade candidate on the roster—a situation that could reshape the Bills’ backfield and impact their Super Bowl aspirations.

The Centerpiece of Buffalo’s Offense and Its Dilemma

James Cook’s ascent has been undeniable. Over the past two seasons, he’s posted consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, adding two more as a receiver. His efficiency, nearly five yards per carry, has made him one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat backs. Yet, as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, Cook is seeking a contract extension that would place him among the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, reportedly in the $15 million per year range.

The Bills, meanwhile, are facing a salary cap crunch, with only $4-5 million in cap space and a roster built around quarterback Josh Allen’s massive contract. The question isn’t whether Cook deserves a raise—his production speaks for itself—but whether the Bills can afford to pay top dollar for a running back in today’s NFL.

The tension has become increasingly public. Cook skipped voluntary OTAs, reportedly listed his Buffalo home for sale, and has “disconnected himself from the organization and the city,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While he’s participated in mandatory minicamp, the specter of a holdout looms if no deal is reached before training camp.

General manager Brandon Beane has acknowledged the gap in negotiations, and analysts agree that the Bills are unlikely to meet Cook’s asking price. The team’s committee approach at running back, with emerging talent Ray Davis and pass-catching specialist Ty Johnson waiting in the wings, further complicates the picture. Head coach Sean McDermott has shown a willingness to rotate backs, making it less likely the Bills will commit premium resources to a single player in the backfield.

Why Cook Is the Obvious Trade Candidate

Cook’s request for $15 million annually would make him the third-highest paid running back in the league, tying him with Derrick Henry and trailing only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. The Bills have signaled they’re unwilling to go that high, especially given the volatility and short shelf life of the position.

Article Continues Below

With limited financial flexibility, Buffalo must consider reallocating resources to other areas, such as the offensive line or secondary, to support a deep playoff run. Rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson provide viable alternatives, and the 2025 running back draft class is considered one of the deepest in years, making it easier for Buffalo to replace Cook if necessary.

Cook’s age (25), production, and contract status make him a valuable trade asset. His value may never be higher than it is right now, coming off a league-leading touchdown season.

Potential Trade Scenarios and Landing Spots

Several teams have been linked to Cook in trade speculation, including the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Washington Commanders. A trade could net the Bills a combination of draft picks and a veteran running back or depth player, providing both immediate and future value.

For example, a proposed deal with the Bears would send Cook to Chicago in exchange for D’Andre Swift and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Another scenario has the Commanders acquiring Cook for multiple mid-round selections, bolstering their offense around rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Cowboys, still searching for stability at running back, have also been named as a logical destination.

If Cook remains on the roster, the Bills risk a protracted holdout or a disgruntled star playing out his contract before departing in free agency. To justify his price tag, Cook would need to deliver another monster season, think 1,500 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards, and 15-plus touchdowns. Anything less could reinforce the front office’s reluctance to pay elite money for a running back.

James Cook’s contract standoff has become the defining issue of Buffalo’s offseason. With the team unwilling to meet his demands, ample backfield depth, and a robust trade market, Cook stands out as the most obvious trade candidate entering 2025 training camp. Whether the Bills move him now or gamble on one more year of production, the decision will have major implications for both the franchise’s present and future.

For now, all eyes are on Orchard Park as the Bills weigh their options, knowing that the clock is ticking on James Cook’s time in Buffalo. The next few weeks could determine whether he remains a cornerstone of the offense or the centerpiece of a blockbuster summer trade.

What Does Bills’ James Cook Need To Justify New Contract? originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is still without his desired new contract, despite stating he wanted an extension months ago.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Bills have since re-signed a host of key players such as Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir, and Greg Rousseau, but James and his reported want for $15 million APY have been left off the to-do list. He participated in mandatory minicamp and stated he will be at training camp; we just don’t know in what capacity.

Given the Bills have just $100,700 in cap space, a contract extension this offseason looks unlikely, but what about next offseason? Sure, but then Buffalo won’t be the only team in for James’ services.

Now, we want all players to receive compensation that reflects their worth, as they deserve to be paid for the work they do to entertain fans.

So, looking ahead to the 2025 season, what type of year would James need to have to warrant a contract of roughly $15 million APY?

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ESPN’s Mike Clay projects Cook to have 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with an extra 284 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.

Fans are left to wonder…

Would that do it?

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It would mark a third straight season of 1,000+ yards and back-to-back seasons of 10+ rushing touchdowns, and that would also likely make it three straight Pro Bowls for the running back.

Yeah, that’ll likely do it.

But if that eventuates, Cook will likely have a few teams chasing his signature next offseason, because he now has the skins on the wall for three years.

Now, we think James should be paid this offseason, but it doesn’t look like that will be happening. But do what Clay is projecting here, and James will get that monster new contract.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because if it isn’t Buffalo, someone else will give James what he feels he is worth.

Related: Bills’ First-Round Pick Predicted to ‘Disappoint’ in Rookie Season

Related: Bills Predicted to Cut Former First-Round Star in 53-Man Roster Projection

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

In 2024, the Bills achieved some of their best success running the ball, as they have done since head coach Sean McDermott arrived in 2017. With some shifting philosophies throughout the NFL, rushing attacks are making a bit of a comeback, and the Bills definitely found some answers to help their offensive environment last season.

Advertisement

What will the team do for an encore in 2025? And given some of the conversations surrounding the running back room this spring, how will that impact what they want to do this coming season?

With plenty of pieces to consider, here is a detailed running back outlook for when the Bills return for training camp in late July.

What’s changed?

The Bills changed absolutely nothing about their running back room in the offseason, not even adding a new undrafted free agent to the position. The same five running backs in training camp last year are the ones signed to the team this year. James Cook and Ray Davis remained under contract, Frank Gore Jr. signed a reserve/futures deal at the end of the year and Ty Johnson re-signed on a new two-year deal. They even brought Darrynton Evans back, after they put him on Injured Reserve in late August and released him from IR in late October. He spent the rest of his year with the Bears, only to sign with the Bills in the offseason.

Biggest question

Will the Bills increase Cook’s role in 2025?

The contract conversation surrounding Cook is one thing, but the on-field component is the most important piece. However, the way the Bills decide to use Cook in 2025 could have an impact on the contract side of things because, as it stands now, Cook’s overall role is one of the biggest reasons for hesitation in making him one of the highest-paid at his position in the NFL. There is no doubt about Cook’s impact when he was given the ball last season. His rushing efficiency was excellent, and he delivered on all the potential that the Bills saw in him through his first two seasons. But even with a spike in production and touchdown rate, Cook’s role shifted from 2023 to 2024.

In 2023, Cook was on the field for 54.6 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Given his abilities shown that season, the general idea is that his on-field role was more likely to increase than anything heading into his third season. Except, the opposite happened. Cook’s on-field role during his games played actually decreased to 47.5 percent in 2024 as the Bills’ backfield effectively became a committee without being nationally branded as such due to Cook’s rushing metrics and gaudy touchdown numbers. Johnson came in with a 30.9 percent offensive snap rate, with Davis registering at 22 percent. With Joe Brady in charge at the end of 2023, Cook took over half of the offensive snaps every game from Week 15 through the Bills’ playoff exit — and that was in a backfield with Johnson, mind you. Of course, the role isn’t everything, but it is worth noting that in 2022, Devin Singletary actually took 64.6 percent of all the team’s offensive snaps, and Cook was on that roster.

Advertisement

It’s worth wondering how the Bills view Cook moving forward. If they think he’s at his best in a 50 percent or less role to maximize the time he’s on the field, that certainly makes it difficult to justify paying him a massive new contract. Of the top 12 highest-paid running backs, 11 of them took at least 57 percent of their teams’ offensive snaps in games they were active in 2024. Derrick Henry fell just below the 60 percent mark, and the other 10 all were at 60 percent or higher. Of the highest paid, four of the top five were at 70 percent or higher. It’s also worth noting that the Bills have yet to issue a lucrative long-term deal to a running back since general manager Brandon Beane arrived. It’s not as though he’s against it, but he’s looking for an anomaly at the position to justify taking up that high of a cap percentage, and has often referenced Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara as the do-it-all backs of the league. Mind you, McCaffrey and Kamara are both two of the highest-paid, and are in the 70 percent and up snap percentage club. So, it all factors into the inevitable conversation revolving around Cook as camp approaches.

How do the Bills view him heading into 2025? Is he someone they are depending on to become one of the higher-snap running backs in the league and take a big step forward as a player? Or, do they think they found the perfect role for him as the top snap earner in a committee? Given their success running the ball and with their backfield on the whole, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they went with the latter, perhaps with a slight uptick in playing time for Cook. But even that’s difficult to project because Davis showed well last season, and there could be plans to get him a bit more involved in 2025. So it’s a two-pronged conversation. The playing time impacts the contract conversation, and the contract conversation is what makes it all such an interesting discourse on the topic as to whether the Bills will pay a running back well for the first time since Beane arrived.

Potential camp battle

Ty Johnson vs. Ray Davis

While we wonder about Cook’s role as he enters his fourth season, it’s also worth monitoring whether Davis can convince the Bills to increase his role in 2025 all the same. Last season, Davis was a distant third in terms of role. Although he was active for every game in 2024, Davis was on the field for only 22 percent of the Bills’ offensive snaps. When you remove two games — the Week 6 game against the Jets when Cook was injured and didn’t play, and the starter-resting Week 18 matchup with the Patriots — the season snap rate of Davis decreases to 18 percent. But when the Bills gave Davis those two games of increased usage, he put together two of his best performances of the season. His outing against the Jets as the top back was a bit eye-opening, as he was an all-around threat both between the tackles and then as a pass catcher. If anyone tried to pigeonhole Davis as a between-the-tackles-only runner, his good hands and receiving skills were displayed that evening to dispel those thoughts. Although it’s a smaller sample size, that three-down ability will likely not be an afterthought.

The problem for Davis is that he has both Cook and Johnson standing in his way, just as last season. Johnson’s work on third downs was the catalyst for them bringing him back on a two-year deal, the first of which is fully guaranteed. Johnson wasn’t just someone who took snaps, he was a strength to them on those snaps. His speed and pass-catching skills helped fill the role that maybe they thought Cook would have been best suited for when they initially drafted Cook. Cook became such a good early-down back that he opened a lane for Johnson to shine, which was conducive to Johnson’s skill set, and he took full advantage.

The question is whether Johnson can hold off Davis for that same role in 2025, especially given Davis’ potential, that he still has three years remaining on his rookie deal and is two years younger than Johnson. Johnson’s contract can be reduced to basically a one-year commitment, to which they could move on next offseason and save over $2 million in cap space. That could be enough to at least see if Davis can handle a bigger workload more consistently. The secondary piece of it is if the Bills will want to change up any bit of their approach with the running back room this year. The Bills’ rushing offense in 2024 was their best in several seasons, so there’s a chance they don’t want to tinker with it and keep it uniform to last season, barring injuries. However, if Davis shows a notable step forward in his second summer with the team, it could force the Bills’ hand to have him play more snaps in his second season, which would likely directly impact Johnson.

Advertisement

Special teams

The Johnson and Davis duo can fit into the special teams mix this season, just as they did in 2024. Johnson likely won’t be a four-unit special teams asset, but he can certainly fit in on punt coverage and kickoff return if they need him to. Davis could also fill in on punt coverage duties, but his top special teams role could be as one of their kickoff returners. How Davis catches the ball from a kickoff away from his body and in stride is impressive, giving him a potential leg up on kickoff coverage unit trying to tackle him. Given the nature of his position on offense, his vision to read blockers and defenders in the open field, along with the ability to fight through contact, could make him a really compelling option to return kicks this year, which could then save a roster spot by allowing the Bills to move on from return specialist Brandon Codrington.

Who makes it and why?

James Cook, Ty Johnson and Ray Davis

The Bills enter camp with the same five running backs as last year, and I believe they’ll head into the regular season with the same three running backs as last year, too. Cook, Johnson and Davis will be the trio, and all three have their roles within the Bills offense. It would be a relatively big surprise if, for non-injury reasons, the running back room was anything but these three. What the room will look like in 2026 is another question entirely, but for now, this group seems like one of the safest bets of the summer.

(Top photo of James Cook: Mark Konezny / Imagn Images)

James Cook is entering his fourth year in the NFL and is seeking a big contract extension. But is he worth what he’s asking for?

James Cook Stats Overview

The former second-round pick has spent the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills and has been steadily improving the past two seasons. In the 2023-24 season, Cook ran for 1,122 yards and paired it with 445 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.

In the 2024-25 season, Cook’s rushing and receiving stats dipped, rushing for 1,009 yards and totaling 258 receiving yards. Touchdowns, however, were a different story.

Cook jumped from six total touchdowns to 18, with 16 of them being rushing touchdowns. This ties him with Jahmyr Gibbs and Derrick Henry for the most in the 2024-25 season.

Although Cook has increased his production each season, is it worth the whopping $15 million a year contract he’s asking for? The answer? It’s complicated.

If Cook were to receive his $15 million a year price, he would rank third amongst NFL running backs for salary per year. This would tie him with Derrick Henry, and sit behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.

Despite the contract issues, James Cook has been a full participant at Bills minicamp so far and seems to be focused on next season.

James Cook says he plans to participate at training camp this summer: “In order to compete for a Super Bowl and have a winning season, I have to be out there with my teammates.” #Bills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/HHk8IpBTa6 — alex brasky (@alexbrasky) June 10, 2025

Is The Production Worth $15 Million?

When talking about the top five running backs in the NFL, James Cook’s name is not often included. It’s hard to imagine giving a running back who barely eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards the same money as one who nearly broke 2,000 and tied Cook in rushing touchdowns.

James Cook offers a lot of value to the Bills and has had good production the past two seasons, but if he wants his $15 million a year, he will have to take a major step up this season. Even then, it’s still a tough decision to make.

The James Cook situation is potentially going to get very ugly. He wants to get paid, presumably $15 million. The problem (for him) is that I can’t think of why any team would pay him $15 million per year let alone trade for him to do it. Congrats HBO on having your big story — Patrick Moran (Talking Buffalo) (@PatrickMoranTB) June 7, 2025

If James Cook were to have a monster 2025-26 season, it would help justify the asking price. However, it would be difficult to give him that money because he has not been consistent in production.

Another thing that makes it hard to justify such a large contract is that Cook’s production in the passing game is matched by Ty Johnson. This opens up the idea of being able to lose Cook, keep Ty Johnson as primarily a pass-catching back, and draft a running back to complement Ray Davis in next year’s draft.

Should The Bills Re-Sign Cook?

James Cook is a very core piece of the Bills’ offense and the face of the running back corps. As a rusher, he complements Ray Davis well, giving the Bills a thunder and lightning backfield. The issue is that the production is not high enough to justify $15 million a year.

If Cook were to up his production significantly in the 2025 season to a ballpark of 1,500 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns, it would make the $15 million a year much more justifiable.

The Bills should re-sign Cook, but not for his asking price— at least not yet. If Cook replicates his production in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he should be re-signed, but for a more reasonable price. Somewhere between $8-12 million.

The James Cook contract ordeal is nothing short of a difficult situation filled with a lot of what-ifs. Cook’s next contract could place him among the league’s highest-paid backs, but to get there, his production has to match the projection.

The Buffalo Bills face a major decision regarding running back James Cook, who reportedly seeks a contract extension north of $15 million annually. Such a pay day would place him among the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, rivaling Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Christian McCaffrey.

While Cook’s 2024 season was notable — 1,009 rushing yards and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns — there are several reasons why committing to such a deal is poor business. The former Georgia Bulldog has gotten better year after year in his young career, and his recent body of work, especially in the playoffs, has made him a fan favorite for some.

Let’s be honest, though — Are we sure James Cook is a top-five NFL running back, and most importantly, an irreplaceable piece in the Bills’ dynamic offense? He surely wants to be paid as so. Let’s dive deep into this conundrum, where I’ll point out why I wouldn’t budge if I were making this decision for the Bills.

James Cook has limited three-down versatility

James Cook’s inability to serve as a reliable third-down back undermines his case for a $15 million salary. In 2024, Cook played just 48% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps — far below elite backs like Barkley (68%) and Henry (62%), who are trusted in all situations. His struggles in pass protection relegated him to early down duties, with Ty Johnson handling third downs and two-minute drills.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Cook a pass-blocking grade of 52.3 in 2024, placing him in the bottom third of starting running backs. This deficiency is critical in an offense reliant on MVP quarterback Josh Allen, who faces blitzes on 28% of dropbacks (per Next Gen Stats).

Cook’s receiving production is also inconsistent. His 32 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 aren’t bad for his usage. However, Cook’s six drops in 2023, including three potential touchdowns, and a 7.4% drop rate in 2024 speak to his inconsistency. His limited role in passing situations — 2.4 receptions per game under Ken Dorsey and 3.1 under Joe Brady — further shows that he’s not (yet) a complete back worthy of elite pay.

The Bills’ run game: A team effort

I can’t help but believe Cook’s 4.9 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns in 2024 were amplified by Buffalo’s offensive structure in general. The team’s offensive line, with all five starters playing over 1,100 snaps, excelled in run blocking.

Connor McGovern, who moved to center after Mitch Morse’s departure, and David Edwards, who took over at left guard, were key. THe line received a PFF grade of 78.6 for run blocking, with McGovern’s transition enhancing cohesion, and Edwards’ size and physicality improving the unit’s run block.

O’Cyrus Torrence is extremely powerful at that department as well, and that’s the strength of Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins’ games, with their movement skills shining in coach Aaron Kromer’s schemes. Cook’s 120-yard Wild Card performance against Denver owed much to the line’s ability to create gaps.

And we can’t forget about the MVP’s impact. Josh Allen’s dual-threat presence further boosted Cook’s numbers. Allen’s 15 rushing touchdowns in 2023 and record-setting quarterback rushing in 2024 forced defenses to account for him, reducing stacked boxes for Cook (12% of carries vs. Derrick Henry’s 18%, per Next Gen Stats).

Cook’s touchdown total is also context-dependent: in 2023, he scored just two rushing touchdowns, with Allen and Latavius Murray handling goal-line work. In 2024, Cook had more red zone carries — suggesting his 16 TDs reflect opportunity more than dominance.

I don’t want to take anything away from his production. But can we honestly affirm those TDs wouldn’t be naturally allocated to other players? Other than his home run hits, I have a difficult time answering no to the question above.

Is Cook elite?

Simply put, Cook’s production doesn’t match the elite running backs commanding top salaries. Saquon Barkley, who signed a two-year, $41.2 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles ($20.6 million AAV), ran for an NFL-high 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. His 1,137 yards after contact and 11 100-yard games show he can carry an offense.

Derrick Henry, with a two-year, $30 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens ($15 million AAV), rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns, forcing 80 missed tackles (league-high). Both backs’ higher snap shares (Barkley 68%, Henry 62%) and three-down roles outshine Cook’s limited usage.

Christian McCaffrey ($19 million AAV) set the standard with 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, plus 67 receptions. Josh Jacobs ($14M AAV, three-year, $42 million with Green Bay) ran for 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024, handling 316 carries to Cook’s 207.

Cook’s 4.9 yards per carry trails Barkley and Henry’s 5.8, and his 48% snap share is significantly lower. Spotrac’s $10.2 million AAV estimate for Cook reflects his tier below these elites. Remember, none of those guys have Josh Allen as their quarterback, which makes Cook’s life easier.

Ray Davis is exciting, Ty Johnson is reliable

If Cook decides to hold out, running back Ray Davis could step into the starting role with exciting potential. In 2024, Davis, a fourth-round pick, rushed for 320 yards on 75 carries (4.3 YPC) and three touchdowns in limited action. His Week 6 performance, filling in for Cook, was a standout: 97 rushing yards on 20 carries and 55 receiving yards on three catches, totaling 152 scrimmage yards.

Davis received a PFF grade of 72.1 overall, comparable to Cook’s 74.3, despite fewer snaps. His 0.15 missed tackles forced per carry (Next Gen Stats) nearly matches Cook’s 0.17, showing similar elusiveness.

Davis’ college numbers at Kentucky (33 receptions, 323 yards, 7 TDs in 2023) speak to his three-down potential. His 5’8”, 220-pound frame suits short-yardage work, with a 78% success rate on carries inside the five-yard line (PFF), compared to Cook’s 60%.

Davis also showed promise in pass protection, posting a 65.2 PFF pass-blocking grade in limited attempts, suggesting he could develop into a more reliable option than Cook. His direct running style minimized negative plays, with only 8% of his carries resulting in losses (vs. Cook’s 10%). At a $1 million cap hit through 2027, Davis offers cost-controlled production.

How about Ty Johnson? He further strengthens Buffalo’s backfield depth, being “the guy” when they need ball security late in games. In 2024, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 51 passes for 393 yards and six touchdowns.

His 82.4 PFF pass-blocking grade far surpasses Cook’s, explaining why he’s the ideal choice for third downs and two-minute drills. Re-signed for 2025, Johnson complements Davis, ensuring the run game, at the bare minimum, remains functional without Cook’s high salary.

The Josh Allen factor

Let’s not fool ourselves — no matter how much the Bills try to run the ball first, their offense revolves around Josh Allen, as his 2024 MVP season showed yet again: 4,269 total yards, 41 touchdowns, and just eight turnovers.

Scoring 30-plus points in 12 games last season, Buffalo’s success hinges on Allen, not a single running back. The run game’s effectiveness stems, first and foremost, from Allen’s threat. Then, after that, from the offensive line’s schemes and performances, and also from the running backs’ qualities.

It’s just very difficult to evaluate how effective the team’s run game would be without their unicorn QB under center (and we certainly don’t want to know). Paying Cook $15 million for a 48% snap share, especially when he isn’t even on the field in clutch situations, doesn’t mesh with prioritizing players who can support Allen in critical moments or even make the difference themselves — something we haven’t seen in a while.

The RB market and Cook’s value

The running back market underscores Cook’s overreach. Barkley’s $20.6 million AAV and Henry’s $15 million AAV reflect their elite status, while McCaffrey ($19 million) and Jacobs ($14 million) command premiums for workhorse roles.

Cook’s $15 million demand would make him the third-highest-paid back, despite inferior stats and usage. With the cap situation the team is in right now, the Bills can’t justify such a deal when Davis and Johnson offer affordable production.

Final Thoughts

James Cook’s talent is undeniable, but his low usage and lack of impact in the clutch make a $15 million contract untenable. Compared to the best in the business, like Barkley, Henry, McCaffrey, and Jacobs, he lacks elite three-down impact.

Ray Davis’ promising metrics — 4.3 YPC, strong receiving, and pass-blocking potential — make him an exciting starter if Cook leaves, while Ty Johnson provides depth and elite third-down production. Josh Allen’s dominance guarantees offensive success, allowing the Bills to prioritize cap flexibility and players who can elevate the team’s chances in critical moments.

If Cook continues to do what he’s done in his career so far, he might be able to become this type of player, perhaps making himself worthy of such a deal. He simply isn’t this player right now, though, and there are more questions about his ability to improve in the areas of his game he struggles with, instead of answers about how well he does what he already does well.

Standing firm against Cook’s demands is the prudent path to sustaining Buffalo’s Super Bowl window. He has one more year in his rookie deal to show he can become the team’s new Thurman Thomas. Right now, he isn’t, and shouldn’t be paid as such.

Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge