Brandon Beane finally admits the one thing James Cook needed to do to get a contract extension with the Buffalo Bills
And the rest was history. The two sides have finally agreed to terms on a brand new contract.
By now, the entire world has heard that the Buffalo Bills and RB James Cook have agreed to terms on a contract extension that keeps him in Buffalo for the next four years. With the move, Buffalo’s young core is locked up for the next few seasons. Brandon Beane thinks the time and the window are now to bring a Super Bowl to Orchard Park.
Bills fans are lucky to have such a tight-knit, well-run organization. While there was still plenty of drama surrounding Cook, they run a tight ship with no leaks coming out of One Bills Drive. When asked about the extension, Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said that the one thing they needed Cook to do to move forward with contract negotiations was simple: practice.
As Alaina Getzenberg, ESPN reporter for the Buffalo Bills, shared, “Brandon Beane said on James Cook’s hold in ending yesterday that there was an understanding he needed to practice to continue to negotiate, and there was good faith for both sides that it would get done.
Brandon Beane then proved to the world that he was mortal, not a magician. The Bills Mafia always likes to call the GM a wizard because of his otherworldly abilities to get a deal done when it otherwise seemed impossible. That, but mostly because it’s just really funny. When speaking to the media about Cook, Beane opened up about how the contract drama impacted his personal life.
“I learned I don’t sleep well,” was what Beane offered as to his learnings from his first official hold-in as GM. While he may not have gotten good sleep, the team and Cook struck a deal this morning that keeps the RB in Buffalo for the next four years.
Brandon Beane breaks silence on contract drama
While Cook is more than familiar with the offense, that doesn’t mean that things won’t change for the talented back. Beane spoke directly about what they are hoping from Cook to take his game to the next level this season.
Beane was direct, “We like what he provides, and we do see him as a three-down type player. We do think he can do more.” While we love the idea of Cook getting some more opportunities, this one statement has us a tiny bit worried.
Josh Allen has spoken at great length on how Ty Johnson is the best third-down back in football. While Cook needs to improve that area of his game, it would be wise for the team to continue to roll out packages with Johnson included. If nothing else, and if for some reason you have no idea who Ty Johnson is, he had one of the craziest playoff TDs in memory.
James Cook’s target share increase
Cook’s sub-50% target share, as expressed by Alex Brasky from Bills Digest, might see an uptick this season after signing Cook to one of the highest-guaranteed contracts for an RB across the entire NFL. Cook finds himself behind Ashton Jeanty and Saquan Barkely in terms of guaranteed money. With the big bag of cash, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his target share increase.
It appears that Beane has been more than forthcoming with Cook and his agents, outlining exactly what needed to be done for a deal to be made. A good show of faith from both sides, and now we can focus on the regular season.
With the team’s young core locked up, win the whole dang thing.
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