BREAKING NEWS: Bills RB James Cook Puts Big Number on Desired 2025 Contract Extension

After a breakout 2024 season, Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook is making it clear—he expects to get paid in 2025. The dynamic playmaker, who solidified himself as one of the league’s top backs, has reportedly given the Bills a big number for his next contract, and it’s raising eyebrows across the NFL.

James Cook’s 2024 Breakout Season

Cook, who emerged as a true offensive weapon for Buffalo, put up career-best numbers last season:

🏈 1,300+ rushing yards
🎯 450+ receiving yards
🔥 12 total touchdowns

His ability to dominate both in the run game and as a pass-catching threat turned him into a crucial part of Buffalo’s offense, and now, he’s looking to cash in.

How Much is Cook Asking For?

According to league insiders, Cook’s camp is eyeing a deal in the range of $13–15 million per year—putting him among the highest-paid running backs in the league.

For reference, here’s how his desired contract compares to the NFL’s top RB salaries in 2024:

💰 Christian McCaffrey (49ers) – $16M per year
💰 Alvin Kamara (Saints) – $15M per year
💰 Derrick Henry (Ravens) – $12.5M per year
💰 Nick Chubb (Browns) – $12.2M per year

Cook’s demand suggests he believes he’s one of the top backs in the league—and he wants his contract to reflect that.

Will the Bills Pay Up?

Buffalo’s front office is now faced with a difficult decision—commit to Cook long-term or risk losing a key offensive weapon.

🔹 The Case for Paying Him:
✔ Cook is still young (25 years old) with plenty of prime years left.
✔ He’s a dual-threat RB, which fits Buffalo’s offensive scheme.
✔ Letting him go would leave a massive hole in the offense.

🔹 The Case for Letting Him Walk:
❌ Running back contracts are risky—many big-money deals haven’t worked out.
❌ The Bills already have major cap concerns with big-money deals for Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.
❌ Buffalo could draft a cheaper RB replacement in a deep 2025 draft class.

What’s Next? Franchise Tag or Free Agency?

If the Bills aren’t willing to match Cook’s asking price, they have a few options:

📌 Franchise Tag: The Bills could place the franchise tag on Cook, keeping him for one more season at around $12M—but that could cause friction.

📌 Trade Possibility: If negotiations stall, Buffalo could explore trade options for Cook instead of losing him for nothing.

📌 Let Him Walk: The Bills could move on and find a replacement via free agency or the draft.

What is James Cook Saying?

While Cook has remained professional about his contract situation, he recently hinted at his expectations:

“I love Buffalo, love my teammates, but this is a business. We’ll see what happens.”

This statement suggests Cook is open to staying—but only if the price is right.

Bills Fans React

🏈 One fan tweeted:
“Pay the man! He carried our offense last year!”

😬 Another posted:
“Love Cook, but $15M a year? That’s too much for a RB in today’s NFL.”

🤔 A rival fan chimed in:
“If the Bills don’t pay him, my team sure will.”

Final Verdict: Will the Bills Pay James Cook?

Buffalo has a big decision to make in the coming months. Will they lock in their star running back for the long haul, or will Cook be playing elsewhere in 2025?

🚨 Stay tuned as contract negotiations heat up! 🚨