James Cook contract drama might finally be over after three words from Sean McDermott and a show of faith from the RB
Bills Mafia has to be thrilled. The nightmare might finally be over.
The James Cook contract drama continues with the latest update from Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott. Speaking to the media before practice, the Bills’ coach said that “things have changed” and he expects Cook to be with the team for practice this afternoon.
When asked about Cook’s availability, McDermott offered, “The information that we’re getting is that he’s moving in the right direction (toward practice).”
We didn’t have to wait long because Cook appeared at practice on Tuesday, officially ending his holdout. The Bills’ running back has been holding in and skipping out on practice and preseason games while he seeks a new contract. Seeing him back on the football field could go a long way toward all this contract drama to finally be over with.
James Cook, what are you doing?
McDermott seemed a bit agitated after the team’s preseason loss following Cook’s pregame antics. Cook showed up in full uniform for pregame warmups, participated in 11-on-11 drills, and then refused to play in the contest.
It hasn’t just been McDermott, either. From Brandon Beane weighing in on his disappointment that Cook wasn’t out there, to Josh Allen discussing the importance of Cook in the offense, it’s been exhausting.
While it’s speculative, we have to imagine that Cook’s random start to practice means the two sides are close to a deal.
James Cook wants to get paid
Some reports indicate that Cook was demanding Saquan Barkley-type money, but we can’t imagine the Bills shelling out that much cash for the talented running back.
Cook wants to get paid after a monster season that saw the organization just fall short of reaching the Super Bowl. That doesn’t mean Cook didn’t show up and show out, though. The Bills’ RB established himself as one of the top options at the position last season since he and QB Josh Allen have built their chemistry through the years, which paid off in a big way.
Cook finished his impressive 2024 campaign with 1,009 yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns while adding 258 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Cook’s game exploded, and it has the Bills Mafia more than excited to see what he can do on the field this year. Unfortunately, these antics have soured a chunk of fans and, in some cases, even the front office with how he’s handling it.
The team hopes to build on the success they saw last season, and to do that, it needs its RB1 back on the football field. All that’s left to do is wait and see what Cook does next.
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