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

[Einstein's Dog]

22 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

From a players perspective, how do you think “sending a message” to one of your best players is perceived? Do you think that will be a positive for players and agents in terms of recruiting? If you think it’s a positive, you are not very tuned into the modern athlete.
 

And yes, $12.5M is basically nothing for your best skill player and a key piece of your offense. That’s Dawson Knox money. 

He's an RB.  That is the proper comparison group, not skill players.  $12.5M is Barkley money and Cook is not in the same tier.  Plus the Bills FO has traditionally not paid RBs and this would give them an excuse to not do so.

 

As for the players perspective they tried to "send a message" already with one of their best players, Diggs.  For the most part it worked IMO, seems like an excellent culture. 

 

Now the FO is presented with their first subsequent difficulty.  It's unfortunate because if they could play Cook at the $5M he was scheduled for this season that would have been good value.   If I were Beane I would be looking to trade Cook in the package for one of Garrett/Crosby, the Cook situation is just too risky for my taste.

[HappyDays]

10 hours ago, BigDingus said:

And people are saying this AFTER they saw what happened in KC? After we all saw how dumb it was not to give Cook the ball in that last drive? 

 

He was on the field on 2nd down of the last series. He got blown up in pass protection which caused Allen to have to get rid of the ball early and the LB was able to tip the pass as a result, otherwise Samuel was going to be open for at least a 1st down gain and maybe more on a whip route.

 

It's more complicated than just how good Cook is, unfortunately. As recently as one month ago I was saying I'd be okay extending Cook because I recognize his talent and his value to the team. The problem is we currently have gaping holes in the WR room, on the DL, and in the secondary. Extending Cook directly impacts our ability to add to those more important areas.

 

That $12M per season or whatever Cook ends up getting is the difference between signing like Darius Slayton vs signing Tee Higgins. I absolutely take Higgins plus any random RB over Cook and Slayton. For me it's not even close. Because as great as Cook was last year, on the final drive of the season he was no help at all and in fact was a detriment. Allen throwing the ball downfield, or a defense that can force more than two punts (ideally both), is going to be our best path to a championship. All of our resources need be spent on developing that path.

 

I'm frustrated that Beane neglected to build the passing offense while Cook was on a rookie deal. Having an elite passing offense plus his rushing ability could have produced a 40 PPG offense. But it's too late for that now and we have to choose one or the other.

[Mat68]

1 hour ago, Einstein's Dog said:

What Cook has done may be enough to move him out.  From the FO perspective it helps send a message to not negotiate in the media.  And it would be great cover for the never pay an RB big money underlying philosophy while simultaneously trying to preserve a draft/retain/pay market for your team culture.

 

Cook's insane pricing has already started working in here.  People are quoting a $12.5M salary like that is reasonable.  Beane didn't go $9M for D Henry. 

Henry is over 30 and offers little out of the backfield. Apples and oranges.  Closer to Barkley imo.  

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, Einstein's Dog said:

He's an RB.  That is the proper comparison group, not skill players.  $12.5M is Barkley money and Cook is not in the same tier.  Plus the Bills FO has traditionally not paid RBs and this would give them an excuse to not do so.

 

As for the players perspective they tried to "send a message" already with one of their best players, Diggs.  For the most part it worked IMO, seems like an excellent culture. 

 

Now the FO is presented with their first subsequent difficulty.  It's unfortunate because if they could play Cook at the $5M he was scheduled for this season that would have been good value.   If I were Beane I would be looking to trade Cook in the package for one of Garrett/Crosby, the Cook situation is just too risky for my taste.

Looking to trade Cook in one of those deals is fine and may be on the table. You need to stop looking at “positional numbers” and look at “player value.” If you think that Knox should get more than Cook, we disagree. The value of the RB increased this year. $12.5M AAV with $24M GTD would slot him between Mixon and Taylor. That’s seems fair. 
 

Again, I’m not going to argue on how players perceive this. I know. The Diggs situation and the Cook situation are different. Diggs wanted the ball and to be the guy. Cook wants to get paid. It’s apples and oranges.
 

If the Bills don’t pay Cook it isn’t because of how he’s handled it. That’s kind of the point. FANS care about how it was handled. TEAMS don’t care about that. The Eagles superstar WR, called out the QB a couple of months ago. They were up 34-0 in the Super Bowl 5 days ago. They didn’t “send him a message.” 
 

Reading through this thread has been cringe. People wanting to jettison the best offensive skill player because he asked for $15M is the kind of insecure nonsense that used to plague this fan base. We need to act like we’ve been there before. Enough of the Rudy mentality!! We don’t need palm trees to recruit. We don’t need to protect ourselves emotionally in case one of our players leaves. It isn’t “because they are a bad guy or we aren’t good enough for them.” It’s a business and the Bills are operating in the deep end. Pull the emotions out of this and look at it objectively as Beane is. It isn’t about, “he shouldn’t have gone public and now he should go.” It’s about, “what is he worth to the Bills and can a deal get done at that number?” That’s how this will, and should, play out. 

[TheFunPolice]

how about 3 years, 42 million, 100% guaranteed? 

 

That gets him to age 28 and we can count on all 3 years being very productive barring injury 

[TheBeaneBandit]

21 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

how about 3 years, 42 million, 100% guaranteed? 

 

That gets him to age 28 and we can count on all 3 years being very productive barring injury 

3 years 30 mill 25 guaranteed is my top offer. You don't pay running backs, period.

[DrDawkinstein]

3 hours ago, Einstein's Dog said:

 It's unfortunate because if they could play Cook at the $5M he was scheduled for this season that would have been good value.   If I were Beane I would be looking to trade Cook in the package for one of Garrett/Crosby, the Cook situation is just too risky for my taste.

 

Every 2nd contract deal Beane has ever done for a rookie has been an extension added onto the rookie deal. Any new contract Cook signs will almost assuredly be an extension where the higher numbers start in 2026. Cook still gets his signing bonus right away. Win-Win.

[Doc Brown]

45 minutes ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

3 years 30 mill 25 guaranteed is my top offer. You don't pay running backs, period.

You just paid him.  I would despise the move if Beane even did that much but in his contract he'd have to keep his head shaved.

Edited February 14 by Doc Brown

[TheFunPolice]

What Cook brings to the table as an offensive weapon is worth 14 mil for 3 years

 

Production for the $ 

[BADOLBILZ]

3 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

The value of the RB increased this year. $12.5M AAV with $24M GTD would slot him between Mixon and Taylor. That’s seems fair. 

 

 

 

James Cook was 16th in rush yards and 20th in carries and 22nd in touches in 2024.

 

Taylor was expected to be top 3 in rushing every year when he got his deal.   No comparison in expectation.

 

Joe Mixon was expected to continue to be a high volume, 300 touch type guy and play 3 downs.   He's a career 19+ touch per game player.   Cook is a career 12.85 touch per game guy with a far lesser TD per game rate(if you think TD's should factor in) and he has to come off the field on 3rd downs.

 

You are REALLY overplaying Cook's value.   Give him another 150 touches like Saquon and then we can talk about paying him like Saquon after we see what happens.

Edited February 14 by BADOLBILZ

[Einstein's Dog]

43 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Every 2nd contract deal Beane has ever done for a rookie has been an extension added onto the rookie deal. Any new contract Cook signs will almost assuredly be an extension where the higher numbers start in 2026. Cook still gets his signing bonus right away. Win-Win.

Yes, and that's the advantage of being able to draft and extend. 

 

But if Beane doesn't want to do a new contract and just wanted Cook for his $5M year, there looks like there could be some trouble.  Yes, the team could hold his feet to the fire but it looks like they would have a malcontent on their hands.  If they don't want to pay an RB big bucks I can see trying to move him now.

[Doc Brown]

10 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

What Cook brings to the table as an offensive weapon is worth 14 mil for 3 years

 

Production for the $ 

Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley are paid less.  Barkley doubled his rushing yards last year and Henry almost did.  Did this message board suddenly go back to the 90's with running back evaluations?

[Aussie Joe]

5 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

 

 

That $12M per season or whatever Cook ends up getting is the difference between signing like Darius Slayton vs signing Tee Higgins. I absolutely take Higgins plus any random RB over Cook and Slayton. For me it's not even close. 

They aren’t going to sign and pay Higgins  to be a bit player at the “everybody eats “ dining table … i can’t see him choosing to be a part of that either when he will have other options 

[Kirby Jackson]

38 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

 

James Cook was 16th in rush yards and 20th in carries and 22nd in touches in 2024.

 

Taylor was expected to be top 3 in rushing every year when he got his deal.   No comparison in expectation.

 

Joe Mixon was expected to continue to be a high volume, 300 touch type guy and play 3 downs.   He's a career 19+ touch per game player.   Cook is a career 12.85 touch per game guy with a far lesser TD per game rate(if you think TD's should factor in) and he has to come off the field on 3rd downs.

 

You are REALLY overplaying Cook's value.   Give him another 150 touches like Saquon and then we can talk about paying him like Saquon after we see what happens.

Are you trying to use volume stats to downplay Cook’s value? If so, add TDs. He will always be a part of a committee. He was in college too. Henry, Gibbs, Barkley and Irving were the only starting RBs with higher YPC. Cook did so while seeing the 3rd fewest reps against 2 deep defenses. If you want to talk about how valuable he is, don’t try to give rushing yards or carries as your argument. His efficiency is what matters. McDermott and Beane believe in a RB by committee and that goes back to the Carolina days with Williams & Stewart. 

[3rdand12]

5 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

He was on the field on 2nd down of the last series. He got blown up in pass protection which caused Allen to have to get rid of the ball early and the LB was able to tip the pass as a result, otherwise Samuel was going to be open for at least a 1st down gain and maybe more on a whip route.

 

It's more complicated than just how good Cook is, unfortunately. As recently as one month ago I was saying I'd be okay extending Cook because I recognize his talent and his value to the team. The problem is we currently have gaping holes in the WR room, on the DL, and in the secondary. Extending Cook directly impacts our ability to add to those more important areas.

 

That $12M per season or whatever Cook ends up getting is the difference between signing like Darius Slayton vs signing Tee Higgins. I absolutely take Higgins plus any random RB over Cook and Slayton. For me it's not even close. Because as great as Cook was last year, on the final drive of the season he was no help at all and in fact was a detriment. Allen throwing the ball downfield, or a defense that can force more than two punts (ideally both), is going to be our best path to a championship. All of our resources need be spent on developing that path.

 

I'm frustrated that Beane neglected to build the passing offense while Cook was on a rookie deal. Having an elite passing offense plus his rushing ability could have produced a 40 PPG offense. But it's too late for that now and we have to choose one or the other.

Not just yet   Expand to see bolded

Edited February 14 by 3rdand12

[BillsFanForever19]

Two things can be true:

 

1.) James Cook is totally justified for trying to maximize his value.

2.) We shouldn't pay what his perceived max value is.

 

He has 100% outplayed his Rookie contract and he's on the last year of it. The next contract is his first chance to cash in and with the position he plays, could possibly be his last - you never know. He's making 5.6m this year and if he were to get injured this year, it would greatly effect his ability to cash in. Maybe ever.

 

On one hand, the 15m asking point seems crazy. On the other - he's 25 years old, a 2 time Pro Bowler, who has gotten better with each year and could continue to ascend, and hasn't suffered any major injuries. Saquon is 28, Derrick Henry is 31, and both have a lot less tread on their tires. Saquon has had ACL reconstruction and Derrick Henry has had recurring foot problems. These are things that factor into contracts just as much if not more than "he's better on the field". Then you take into account the rise in salary's with the rise in the salary cap on a yearly basis and yeah, 15 isn't absolutely insane. 

 

That said - would I give him a contract that large? Probably not. And i'm guessing Beane is probably of the same mind. Which is most likely why we're in the situation we're in. Either Beane has been not talking contract with his agent or his number is further away from Cook and Cook's agents number and it's upset him. 

 

Where I take issue is the idea that what he's doing makes him "a cancer". It's the offseason. It's business time. You can play hardball in business and still be a consumate professional in the locker room. No one has ever said anything negatively about how Cook handles himself in the locker room, practice, and the football field. On the contrary, Sean McDermott raved about him recently in a way you don't often hear from him:

 

People are comparing him with Stefon Diggs. There's a major difference between what Diggs did and what Cook is doing. Cook is just upset over money. He wants the Bills to pay him before he hits Free Agency. Diggs was taking pot shots at the team and Josh Allen and was trying to get himself off of the team.

 

There are just as many instances of players taking their displeasure with the negotiations with their team publicly that have worked it out, stayed, and not been an issue after that. Business is seperate. I don't fault Cook for doing what he's doing and I don't think it makes him immature or a cancer. What he's doing is normal in today's day and age of Social Media and NFL negotiations.

 

But, again, if he doesn't come down at least a little bit from that price - I think i'd sadly have to consider moving him. 12-13 would be my max price.

[HappyDays]

34 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

They aren’t going to sign and pay Higgins  to be a bit player at the “everybody eats “ dining table … i can’t see him choosing to be a part of that either when he will have other options 

 

Maybe I missed something but I've never seen Higgins be a problem or a ball hog. He's played second fiddle to Ja'Marr Chase for his entire career. At this point he's going to go to the highest bidder as he should.

 

But I'm also using Higgins as a generic stand-in for any top tier WR. That's where our offensive resources need to be spent.

[Aussie Joe]

11 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Maybe I missed something but I've never seen Higgins be a problem or a ball hog. He's played second fiddle to Ja'Marr Chase for his entire career. At this point he's going to go to the highest bidder as he should.

 

But I'm also using Higgins as a generic stand-in for any top tier WR. That's where our offensive resources need to be spent.

I expect them to improve to improve WR room … but in a more modest fashion … perhaps Slayton whom you mention is a likely candidate… or a second round pick , …they will probably convince themselves that Samuel will be an injury free difference maker , and both Kincaid and Coleman will improve …. What they decide here won’t be influenced byCook who will be put on hold another year … 

 

Decisions on other extensions  will need to be made though …
 

[Einstein's Dog]

5 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Maybe I missed something but I've never seen Higgins be a problem or a ball hog. He's played second fiddle to Ja'Marr Chase for his entire career. At this point he's going to go to the highest bidder as he should.

 

But I'm also using Higgins as a generic stand-in for any top tier WR. That's where our offensive resources need to be spent.

I'm with you, it's how the money is allocated.  Don't pay the RB big bucks - go with Ty, R Davis and Rookie. 

 

Instead get a good boundary WR - DK Metcalf may be too much but high on the list, then there is C Kupp, D Adams, K Allen, or maybe A Cooper or DHop.

 

And of course on D get that top tier DLman- Garrett/Crosby/Hendrikson/Mack.

[Warriorspikes51]

Crazy trade idea:    Cook for J.Waddle

 

26, had 3 strong seasons prior to last year

 

could explode with Josh Allen

Edited February 14 by Warriorspikes51