James Cook sits out Bills practice amid contract negotiations, calls it ‘business'

New York Times

2 days ago

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — After a week and a half of work at training camp, it appeared the Buffalo Bills and top running back James Cook were on the same page and ready to move forward with the 2025 season. However, the bubble seemingly burst ahead of Sunday's practice.
Cook, who is a free agent at the end of the season, has openly wanted a new contract, even insinuating on social media that he would like $15 million per season on his next deal. Despite his desires for a new deal and the Bills having yet to agree on one with the running back, Cook participated in full through the first eight practices.
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That changed, as Cook did not participate during Sunday's practice. The Bills did not announce Cook as an injury ahead of the session, and when asked for a reason why the running back did not participate, the team succinctly issued a 'no comment.'
When stopped by a handful of reporters, Cook had only one word to explain his non-participation.
'Business.'
Bills RB James Cook asked why he didn't practice today?
'Business.'
Followed up with if he'll practice tomorrow: 'Business.'
Kept repeating 'business' over and over.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 3, 2025
If Cook is beginning a hold-in while at training camp, it would be a significant change of heart from what he said to the media on July 24, just two days into camp. 'It's my job, I've got to participate so I won't get fined,' he said.
But even during that news conference, Cook was adamant he was going to get paid, even providing an eyebrow-raising statement alluding to a life and future away from Buffalo.
'I mean, however it happens, it's going to get done. Wherever it happens,' Cook said. 'I mean, I deserve it — what I want, what I need. It's going to eventually happen.'
Even with that comment, Cook has always said he would like to remain with the Bills for the long term if the sides can make it work.
Speculation persisted ahead of training camp as to whether Cook would practice without a new deal in place, and the early answer to that was a resounding yes. Now, without a new deal and with a running back seemingly unhappy enough to stop practicing because of it, the Bills have a potentially delicate situation on their hands.
Cook broke out in 2024, tying the franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 16, becoming the team's go-to early-down runner and rushing for over 1,000 yards. Part of the hold-up on a new deal for Cook could have something to do with his role last season, as he often ceded third-down work to committee back Ty Johnson. Including the playoffs, Cook played on only 47.5 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps in the games he was active.
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The third-down work was a talking point for Cook at the beginning of camp.
'I feel like I can do it and I am going to do it,' he said. 'Get more involved in the pass game instead of the run game. Just being out there on third downs. That's my job. That's what I'm trying to do.'
The Bills issued four different contract extensions this offseason to players who, like Cook, were entering the final year of their rookie deal. All four of those deals, along with a complex new contract extension for quarterback Josh Allen, were wrapped up by the end of March.
'As I've said all along, I love James Cook. You know how I am. I want to draft, develop, re-sign our own,' general manager Brandon Beane said at the beginning of training camp. 'It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap, and sometimes, you can look at it and say, 'Well, you know, you go to this website or whatever, they could fit him in if they did this and this.' But we also have to look at '26, '27 and beyond, because you can walk yourself into one of those years where you're like, 'Oh man, there's not a lot of guys, we can take them out here.' We would have to trade or cut someone that we wouldn't want to lose. … So all those things have to make sense for us to fit in him in.'
Beane also said he would love nothing more than for Cook to be with the team again at training camp this time next year.
In addition to one of their top skill players on offense sitting out of practice, the Bills will be without their top receiver for what is likely to be a good amount of time. Khalil Shakir, the team's leading receiver in 2024, suffered a high ankle sprain during their annual practice inside Highmark Stadium on Friday night.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott labeled the injury as 'week to week,' without a clear timetable for a return.
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'He's dealt with one before,' McDermott said before Sunday's practice. 'He's extremely tough, a big part of our offense. It's going to take some time. High ankles normally do.'
With a little over one month until the team's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on 'Sunday Night Football,' it's at least worth wondering if Shakir will be back in time to play, given the usual nature of the injury. Shakir is one of four receiver injuries the Bills are enduring at this point in camp, as projected starter Joshua Palmer (groin) and key reserve Curtis Samuel (hamstring) also missed Sunday's practice.
The Bills return to the field for practice at St. John Fisher University on Monday morning.
(Photo of James Cook: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)