But there is a salary cap. You can’t just sign everybody, you need to make decisions. Signing Cook to a $8-10m/yr contract could mean letting Benford, Bernard or Rousseau walk. Or it could mean passing on a big FA signing or trade we could have possibly made (like for an elite WR or pass rusher).
So then the question is about the impact on the game between Cook and a good but cheaper FA, or 2nd-3rd round pick. I think Cook has a home run ability that other RBs won’t have, but his between the tackles and red zone work can probably be had for a lot cheaper.