James Cook on IG Live - "15 mill year" EDIT: Scrubbed his IG and Doubled Down on Twitter

[Straight Hucklebuck]

17 minutes ago, Dillenger4 said:

Cook is a weapon! Don't think you will "find" one in the draft that compares. And Ray Davis is so not even close to Cook. I bet we pay Cook $9 million. He's a top 5 back in this league.

I agree that I don’t see Ray Davis near Cook’s level and do not want him as anything more than a sub-package back. 
 

If Cook or the Bills really moved on this offseason, again I’d want that premium investment into one of the drafts top backs (R2 preferably). 
 

Drafting an RB in the 5th and pairing that player with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson is a good solution for production, only money. 

[BillsShredder83]

On 2/12/2025 at 11:00 AM, alg said:

I'm not sure why giving up multiple 1sts for a soon-to-be 30 year old player is every Bills fans wet dream, but that is a disaster waiting to happen. At least with the disastrous Miller contract we didn't have to give up picks.

 

But Maxx Crosby is another story. He's 27 and has exhibited some real Bills love in recent times. And Cook would go farther in satisfying the terms of a deal ... at a position of need.

"Soon to be 30" - Garrett will be 29 until the very end of the season. Crosby turns 28 during preseason.  Also, DE's have shown to age gracefully and have longevity.  30 isnt some magic witchcraft number.

 

-"1st round pick". that first rd pick is #30, and likely will not have any 1st rd grades left.  Its not a bad pick to have, but were talking about a HOF with several prime years left, who doesnt miss time really.  At a position of need/premium position.  Elite DE's are almost like QB's now.  Good luck getting one thats elite in FA.  Good luck finding a HOF DE at #30.  I slightly prefer Crosby, but would defecate from my urinary tract if we landed either

[Kirby Jackson]

5 minutes ago, Mango said:

 

This is a good breakdown of my thought. 

I think Cooks actual fair value (compared to other backs in the league) is about $8-$10M. But I understand that these players like to reset the market every year. So my stretch number is $12M. 

I would go to $15M on a player I thought whose base value was $12M. But going to $15M on a players whose base value I think could be under $10M is a stretch. Especially when you are paying the QB. 

That said, I do agree @Kirby Jackson in principal. I am like 87% of the way there. But I am having trouble getting myself across the finish line. I think paying him $15M AAV long term is a move that either gets this roster across the finish line, or becomes a bullet point in cost that holds other position groups back. Paralysis by analysis. 

With him asking for $15M, I’d expect like $13M being where it ends up. Where I’m at, is that if it’s $12M or $13M or $15M what difference does it make to anyone other than Terry scratching the check? If you can control the cap hit as the Spotrac post suggested, why do I care what he gets?

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

I agree that I don’t see Ray Davis near Cook’s level and do not want him as anything more than a sub-package back. 
 

If Cook or the Bills really moved on this offseason, again I’d want that premium investment into one of the drafts top backs (R2 preferably). 
 

Drafting an RB in the 5th and pairing that player with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson is a good solution for production, only money. 

 

Other than spending a 2nd I agree with this. I don't think Davis is near Cook's level personally. If you trade Cook you have to draft someone.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

2 minutes ago, SCBills said:

I amended my post to acknowledge that

 

My issue with him is that he’s a RB acting this way, wanting this money, while we currently have zero outside weapons that scare anyone and a huge talent deficit on Defense

 

So, for me, the solution to our KC problem cannot be paying big money to a RB and 3 defenders currently on that talent devoid defense (Rousseau, Bernard, Benford)

 

Pay those 4 and we just continue down this path unless Beane starts hitting grand slams in the Draft. 

Yup - this is the decision on Beane this offseason.

 

Their cap and the players already under contract for 2025 would enable the Bills to effectively run it back with the same group plus the draft class.

 

There really is no linchpin pending FA.

 

But I do think concessions will need to be made on the roster with some of “our guys” if Beane is to land a better WR or DE. 
 

Greg Tompsett said that if the Bills pulled every lever they could in contracts and restructured everybody they could it would result in $72M in cap space.

 

So what’s realistic? $25M with Beane saying he keeps $3M - $5M set aside for injuries and trades? 

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Other than spending a 2nd I agree with this. I don't think Davis is near Cook's level personally. If you trade Cook you have to draft someone.

I just draw the line at Hampton, Johnson, Judkins, Henderson, Sampson (assuming Jeanty is long gone). 
 

There are two pages of guys that all have similar grades so if other people want to draw the line somewhere else, cool.

 

I would not draft another 4th Round RB, pair him with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson and expect as good of a running game.

 

For me - the line has to be one of those Top 5-6 running backs before the talent and athleticism drops off. 
 

I will definitely be tuned into the Combine to see how these players stack up offensively. 

[Kirby Jackson]

4 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Yup - this is the decision on Beane this offseason.

 

Their cap and the players already under contract for 2025 would enable the Bills to effectively run it back with the same group plus the draft class.

 

There really is no linchpin pending FA.

 

But I do think concessions will need to be made on the roster with some of “our guys” if Beane is to land a better WR or DE. 
 

Greg Tompsett said that if the Bills pulled every lever they could in contracts and restructured everybody they could it would result in $72M in cap space.

 

So what’s realistic? $25M with Beane saying he keeps $3M - $5M set aside for injuries and trades? 

I just draw the line at Hampton, Johnson, Judkins, Henderson, Sampson (assuming Jeanty is long gone). 
 

There are two pages of guys that all have similar grades so if other people want to draw the line somewhere else, cool.

 

I would not draft another 4th Round RB, pair him with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson and expect as good of a running game.

 

For me - the line has to be one of those Top 5-6 running backs before the talent and athleticism drops off. 
 

I will definitely be tuned into the Combine to see how these players stack up offensively. 

I think most guesses that I’ve seen have them at around $40M in cap space. 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

4 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I think most guesses that I’ve seen have them at around $40M in cap space. 

That's what looming - extending Cook, Shakir, Rousseau, Bernard and Benford. 

 

[SectionC3]

1 hour ago, BillsShredder83 said:

We can find someone better in the pass game.  Barkley has not been asked to catch the ball as much as of late, but dude had 90 catches as a rookie.  You pay a guy that is a true dual threat and can pass block.  Cook is not an elite route runner or pass catcher, his pass blocking hurt us in AFCCG. Drops too many balls.

 

Im never paying an elite 'running only' RB. Barkley and McCaffrey are exceptions to the RB rule because they are weapons in pass game.  Henry is the rare exception, and the only one in the last 15years that deserves to be paid based on running only... but he also is a pass blocker.

 

Go upgrade him as a weapon, get cheaper, lose a little carrying skill set dep't, gain some in pass catching dep't, and have him be a 3rd down back.  With this OL, it wont be hard to do.

The someone better is Ty Johnson.   Bring him back.  If Cook really wants $15m as a firm number, then he won’t be here much longer.  I think 4x11 with 50% guaranteed slots him in fairly.  Anything more than that and … it gets much more difficult. 

[Kirby Jackson]

8 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

That's what looming - extending Cook, Shakir, Rousseau, Bernard and Benford. 

 

Yeah, I’m referring to this offseason as the “likeliest levers pulled.” That would be a new deal for Josh obviously, Von gone, and a few other moves. I don’t remember the specifics and don’t have the cap page in front of me. I actually think it was from Greg Tompsett’s prediction as to what they do. 

[Lofton80]

I think Cook has proved he deserves a pay upgrade. He has great talent and seems to be getting better year to year. That said, he is not getting $15mm. I guess he is negotiating what his agent told him. Beane will figure it out. I do not see him being traded because of an offseason demand.   

[Kirby Jackson]

10 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

The someone better is Ty Johnson.   Bring him back.  If Cook really wants $15m as a firm number, then he won’t be here much longer.  I think 4x11 with 50% guaranteed slots him in fairly.  Anything more than that and … it gets much more difficult. 

This is what I’m struggling with. Why does it get much more difficult?  Using this framework I don’t see this as a problem:

 

 

Will he be a little overpaid? Probably. Why should I care is what I can’t wrap my head around? I care about the cap situation not actual dollars. That’s a Terry issue. Why does anyone care if he makes $12M vs. $15M? Those cap challenges will be years from now. When the window is open throw caution to the wind and be thankful that you’ve had an owner willing to pay up. 

Edited February 13 by Kirby Jackson

[UKBillFan]

Just now, Kirby Jackson said:

This is what I’m struggling with. Why does it get much more difficult?  Using this framework I don’t see this as a problem:

 

 

Will he be a little overpaid? Probably. Why should I care is what I can’t wrap my head around. I care about the cap situation not actual dollars. That’s a Terry issue. Why does anyone care if he makes $12M vs. $15M? Those cap challenges will be years from now. When the window is open throw caution to the wind and be thankful that you’ve had an owner willing to pay up. 

 

But is he worth it? Will the Bills be better off using that money on other areas of the team. Even if the Bills and Cook come to an agreement at, say, $12m, that $3m could help get someone else over the line.

[Kirby Jackson]

Just now, UKBillFan said:

 

But is he worth it? Will the Bills be better off using that money on other areas of the team. Even if the Bills and Cook come to an agreement at, say, $12m, that $3m could help get someone else over the line.

He has been great in the biggest games. Could they get someone better? Maybe. Is it more likely that who they’d replace him with would be worse? Definitely. That gamble is absolutely not worth it when we are talking about a few million bucks a year (not even a few million dollars difference in cap hit).
 

[Bockeye]

Ty Johnson.  

Weighs 20lbs more than Cook.  

Ran a 4.45/Cook ran a 4.42.  

Is a better pass catcher than Cook

Is better in pass pro

Averaged 5.2ypc this past season

 

Easily accumulate 1,300 total yards if he was #1 back.  He’d be on the field way more than Cook.

[Alphadawg7]

I was previously on board with extending Cook...but now, this $15M per and his social media tactics of trying to do this in the public is turning me off.  

 

He is asking to be the highest paid back in the league when he is far from their level.  He is a 2 down back because he is a liability in pass protection.  Lets not forget, Allen kept calling Ty the best 3rd down back in the league too...a journey man RB being touted that much higher than a RB who wants $15M per year but can't unseat that journeyman on 3rd down who also isn't very big because Cook is a liability in pass pro and has a tendency to drop big passes.  

 

I think $30M over 3 years should be the range he falls in.  Cook to me is not a guy who would do as well on another team, he isn't that Saquan, Mixon, Henry kind of RB that can succeed just about anywhere.  He benefits greatly by Allen, this OL, and how the Bills run the ball.  That makes him expendable.  

 

Everyone here says he is better than Davis, but Davis had a great game when he filled in for Cook when he was out.  And while I agree, Cook is the better RB right now, look at what Davis and Ty did when given heavy work loads, they produced at a high level too.  Cook is more a product of his environment than elite RB.  

 

And I hate how he is suddenly right out the gate trying to do this through social media and throwing out ridiculous contract demands while deleting the Bills.  

 

I would seriously consider trading him even though I had recently been saying I would like to extend him if the price was reasonable.  Spend that money to help our god awful defense and at WR before you go overboard on spending on a 2 down RB.

Edited February 13 by Alphadawg7

[Chugga]

Hate this way of doing negotiating.  I totally agree Cook deserves his money.  15 a year, probably not.  But also I understand the need to start high to get to what makes sense.

 

But the deleting essentially everything bills related out of the gate just rubs me the wrong way.  After a long drawn out negotiating period where you are seemingly miles apart.  Totally get it.

 

But I think you should head to the negotiating tables open minded and positive especially when the organization has seemingly done nothing wrong to you and has been pretty respectful for tons of your teammates over the years (almost to a fault).  I despise starting negotiations from a social media post.

[SectionC3]

5 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

This is what I’m struggling with. Why does it get much more difficult?  Using this framework I don’t see this as a problem:

 

 

Will he be a little overpaid? Probably. Why should I care is what I can’t wrap my head around? I care about the cap situation not actual dollars. That’s a Terry issue. Why does anyone care if he makes $12M vs. $15M? Those cap challenges will be years from now. When the window is open throw caution to the wind and be thankful that you’ve had an owner willing to pay up. 

Personally I think 11m is an overpay.  But I’d do it given how he played the last couple of years.  After that, in my view we don’t start struggling with expense, but with value.  Is he worth $10m more than a potential replacement?  And would we be better off dedicating that $10m to a guy like Khalil Mack, or a problem area on D?  Again, I don't know.  These are tough calls. 

[Special K]

7 minutes ago, Lofton80 said:

I think Cook has proved he deserves a pay upgrade. He has great talent and seems to be getting better year to year. That said, he is not getting $15mm. I guess he is negotiating what his agent told him. Beane will figure it out. I do not see him being traded because of an offseason demand.   

 

Yeah, I doubt Beane wants to have a Joe Scoen/Saquon Barkley moment of his own......I am sure he'll get it worked out in a way that benefits both Cook and the Bills.

[UKBillFan]

2 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

He has been great in the biggest games. Could they get someone better? Maybe. Is it more likely that who they’d replace him with would be worse? Definitely. That gamble is absolutely not worth it when we are talking about a few million bucks a year (not even a few million dollars difference in cap hit).
 

 

Yet the Bills are still without a ring and, for the biggest offensive down of the year, he was off the field because he cannot pass block. I don't want him to go but every player has a price. For what Cook brings to the team, he should be below Barkley. And if they can't reach that agreement then it's a case of moving on, building up the defense and seeing who is available in the run game.

[Kirby Jackson]

1 minute ago, SectionC3 said:

Personally I think 11m is an overpay.  But I’d do it given how he played the last couple of years.  After that, in my view we don’t start struggling with expense, but with value.  Is he worth $10m more than a potential replacement?  And would we be better off dedicating that $10m to a guy like Khalil Mack, or a problem area on D?  Again, I don't know.  These are tough calls. 

I think that’s fair if we are talking about plugging in a rookie in his place. The Bills scored a lot of points with a great running game. I’m not sure that they want to take a step back there to take a step forward elsewhere. I think that it’s reasonable to do both if you structure contracts aggressively.