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

[H2o]

3 hours ago, Chicken Boo said:

 

This is his livelihood and his 1 and only shot a big contract.  Who gaf about what the fan base thinks?

 

Remove Cook from this offense and then what?  What do the Bills have outside of Allen?  

 

Take note from Roseman and pay your talent, and when at all possible add more.  

Cook is a good player. But I think TreVeyon Henderson and Omarion Hampton could fill his shoes just fine. If someone is willing to give us a 2nd, I make that deal and let them pay him. We have enough going on without tying up $15M in a RB right now. Unless they do one of those "outward appearance" deals making it with void years, and where it doesn't hurt us now or down the line really. 

[DrDawkinstein]

4 hours ago, Einstein's Dog said:

If the Bills had wanted to pay an RB, they could have had D Henry for $9M.  But the Bills philosophy has been not to give big money to RBs. 

 

And if they broke it for a drafted player, the idea of J Cook at $15M is too high - but maybe if it is just a bogus $15M like a Shakir deal I could see it.  J Cook just needs to stay off social media for a while,  IMO he is losing the fanbase.

 

Not sure about that.

 

The philosophy has been to not give big money to guys that dont deserve it. Edmunds, Singletary, trade Moss while they could. It just so happened a couple of those guys were RBs. And Singletary and Moss are no where near the player that Cook is.

[DrDawkinstein]

6 hours ago, ddaryl said:

Cook has another on his contract @ a 5.7 million cap hit

If we let him playout this year on existing contract we can tag him for 2 more years. The 2nd years tag is 120% of the last years salary. 
[quote]A player being tagged for the second consecutive season is paid 120% of his previous year's salary. [/quote]

Exclusive Tag  $14M - $18M 

Non- Exclusive Tag  2 - 1st rd picks if any team signs him and we do not match

transition Tag  $12M - $16M


Doing the math it would cost aproxiamtely
$5.7M plus FT-1 $15M FT-2 $18M = $39.7M for 3 years

or 

$5.7 plus TT-1 $13M TT-3 $16M = $34.7M for 3 years

Numbers are ballpark.


That being said this is where Cook must look if he wants a contract extension. He needs to come in under the FT tag number otherwise the Bills/Beane can just use the tag numbers, and Cook is then gambling he will not get injured/ lose a step and kiss a solid contract goodbye.

 

 

 

Beane using the tag on any player, even Cook, undermines all the work he and McD have done to create a culture where players want to be.

 

Players HATE the tag. HATE it. It's really a slap in the face.

 

Also, the tag amount is pretty much his $15M he is starting his negotiations at that all the fans hate.

 

Using the tag will end up costing the Bills a ton in goodwill, and also cost more cap space than just extending him now for something between $12M-15M

 

Extend him now for 3/$40M with $25M guaranteed. Then, depending on how we structure it, we get him for something like:

 

$5.7M, $12.5M, $13.5M = $31.7M (plus still have him for another year in his prime (at $14M), PLUS just showed all our other players and FAs that we take care of our players)

[BillsFanForever19]

4 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Not sure about that.

 

The philosophy has been to not give big money to guys that dont deserve it. Edmunds, Singletary, trade Moss while they could. It just so happened a couple of those guys were RBs. And Singletary and Moss are no where near the player that Cook is.

 

That's a fair theory. But it goes beyond just not extending players like Singletary and Moss. We've also never signed a Running Back in Free Agency to anything substantial. And he's constantly Drafting guys in mid Rounds to be a potential successor. 

 

My take on Cook has gone like this: after seeing him the past couple years, I changed my viewpoint from never pay a Running Back to give Cook a 2nd contract in an 8-10m range. Then he came out and said he wanted 15m. I said to myself "no way - but maybe if they can get him to come down to 10-12m, i'd be okay with it but conflicted". Then Barkley signed his deal at 21m annually, effectively destroying any hope that he'd come down from 15m. And with everything we have to do this year, which will include "kicking the can" into other years, we simply cannot take 15m out of that cookie jar in the following years for a Running Back.

[Mikie2times]

3 hours ago, H2o said:

Cook is a good player. But I think TreVeyon Henderson and Omarion Hampton could fill his shoes just fine. If someone is willing to give us a 2nd, I make that deal and let them pay him. We have enough going on without tying up $15M in a RB right now. Unless they do one of those "outward appearance" deals making it with void years, and where it doesn't hurt us now or down the line really. 

A larger drop off exists between Cook and Singletary/Moss types vs Cook and Barkley. To think we can just get that from a rookie is really stretching. He's one of the better backs in the NFL. Those guys are some of the better backs in college. Big difference even if some day they do end up doing well. 

Edited Thursday at 01:38 AM by Mikie2times

[bmur66]

Cook is two years removed from getting shoestring tackled routinely. Just saying.

Edited Wednesday at 10:51 PM by bmur66

[Solomon Grundy]

5 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

😐

Yeah....for Myles Garrett 😄 

[H2o]

2 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

A larger drop of exists between Cook and Singletary/Moss types vs Cook and Barkley. To think we can just get that from a rookie is really stretching. He's one of the better backs in the NFL. Those guys are some of the better backs in college. Big difference even if some day they do end up doing well. 

Yeah, but they aren't Singletary or Moss. Also, both of them are good pass blockers and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Three down RB's if need be. I like both of their prospects at the NFL level, A LOT. I'd be willing to take that chance. 

5 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

😐

Who in the world is Shakir Betta? 

[BillsFanForever19]

8 minutes ago, H2o said:

Who in the world is Shakir Betta? 

 

No one that anyone should pay attention to or post about. His source, like most Twitter nobodies that aren't a legitimate NFL media person: "Trust me bro".

 

Twitter is filled with nobidies who predict moves they think will happen ahead of time and post that it's happening, in hopes that it actually happens, so that people think they're actual sources. If it isn't from an actual reporter, it's bullsh-t.

Edited Wednesday at 11:02 PM by BillsFanForever19

[Mikie2times]

1 minute ago, H2o said:

Yeah, but they aren't Singletary or Moss. Also, both of them are good pass blockers and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Three down RB's if need be. I like both of their prospects at the NFL level, A LOT. I'd be willing to take that chance. 

You say now they aren't Singletary or Moss, but we don't know what they will become. Cook is what you hope Henderson or Hampton can become, but he already is that player. With almost no wear on the tread in college. 

 

Most would have conceded 10 million to Cook, is 5 additional million / the equivalent of one additional quality starter, worth the money? Basically, is it worth 5 million dollars to go from replacement level at RB (all that you can count on as a rookie) to Pro Bowl level at RB? To me, as painful as it is, the answer is yes. I just hope the deal is reasonably short. 

[Dr Krentist]

6 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

No one that anyone should pay attention to or post about. His source, like most Twitter nobodies that aren't a legitimate NFL media person: "Trust me bro".

 

Twitter is filled with nobidies who predict moves they think will happen ahead of time and post that it's happening, in hopes that it actually happens, so that people think they're actual sources. If it isn't from an actual reporter, it's bullsh-t.

 

Like good ol' "He who shall not be named". That prison dude. I forgot his name (Which is a good thing)

[Mr. WEO]

Barkley in no way reset the market for Cook.  They are nothing alike.  

[BillsFanForever19]

42 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

Barkley in no way reset the market for Cook.  They are nothing alike.  

 

This is missing the point and absolutely incorrect.

 

Will James Cook get Saquon Barkley's 21m annual contract? Absolutely not.

 

But what it does do is take the 15m he was asking for from 'out to lunch' to 'justified'. Saquon Barkley is clearly the better player. But James Cook is not 9-11m less of a player. Saquon Barkley's contract set fire to any hopes that a middle ground could be reached between Cook's asking price and the Bills brass. That 10-12 number that represented a lot of Bills fans tippy top price they'd be willing to pay has gone from a tough pill to swallow to an underpay he definitely wouldn't agree to now. That's where the "reset" comes into play.

Edited Wednesday at 11:52 PM by BillsFanForever19

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

On 3/4/2025 at 8:18 PM, klos63 said:

Yeah,  what are the Eagles thinking? Terrible organization. 

Eagles aren't missing two top-end WR and a top 1 OL

 

Bills are.

 

Big difference.

 

[ddaryl]

14 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

 

Beane using the tag on any player, even Cook, undermines all the work he and McD have done to create a culture where players want to be.

 

Players HATE the tag. HATE it. It's really a slap in the face.

 

Also, the tag amount is pretty much his $15M he is starting his negotiations at that all the fans hate.

 

Using the tag will end up costing the Bills a ton in goodwill, and also cost more cap space than just extending him now for something between $12M-15M

 

Extend him now for 3/$40M with $25M guaranteed. Then, depending on how we structure it, we get him for something like:

 

$5.7M, $12.5M, $13.5M = $31.7M (plus still have him for another year in his prime (at $14M), PLUS just showed all our other players and FAs that we take care of our players)

At some point you have to use the tools you have in front of you. Especially when a player starts negotiating on Social Media.

How much has Beanes and McDs goodwill really done for us. Can't even win a AFCC Game. The players he resigns are solid but none of them have gotten us further. 

I'm all for negotiating a better deal for Cook and your numbers you suggested are solid, and better than using tags and that works for me. BUT if he hangs onto numbers that do not fit the team going forward you use the tools you have at your disposal. Thats the business.

[Mr. WEO]

14 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

This is missing the point and absolutely incorrect.

 

Will James Cook get Saquon Barkley's 21m annual contract? Absolutely not.

 

But what it does do is take the 15m he was asking for from 'out to lunch' to 'justified'. Saquon Barkley is clearly the better player. But James Cook is not 9-11m less of a player. Saquon Barkley's contract set fire to any hopes that a middle ground could be reached between Cook's asking price and the Bills brass. That 10-12 number that represented a lot of Bills fans tippy top price they'd be willing to pay has gone from a tough pill to swallow to an underpay he definitely wouldn't agree to now. That's where the "reset" comes into play.

 

Barkley had a once in a generation season.  It was crazy to bump him to 20 million after just signing him for less. 

 

That being said, there are 2 guys making over 14 million: him and McCaffrey.  On a terrible team, Barkley had 3 seasons over 1000.   With the best O-line in the NFL, he double that in Philly.  Cook cracked 1000 behind a very good O-line in Buff.  The Eagles hardly bothered passing this year, the Offense ran through Barkley.  The Bills don't run that Offense so Cook has less value here.

 

Let him ask someone else to make him the 3rd highest paid RB in the NFL. 

[BarleyNY]

15 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

You say now they aren't Singletary or Moss, but we don't know what they will become. Cook is what you hope Henderson or Hampton can become, but he already is that player. With almost no wear on the tread in college. 

 

Most would have conceded 10 million to Cook, is 5 additional million / the equivalent of one additional quality starter, worth the money? Basically, is it worth 5 million dollars to go from replacement level at RB (all that you can count on as a rookie) to Pro Bowl level at RB? To me, as painful as it is, the answer is yes. I just hope the deal is reasonably short. 

 

I disagree on your point about what you hope many rookie players can become. Take Henderson for example. He not only has been an excellent runner in college, but he’s also been excellent in pass protection and as a receiver. The hope for him is that all three phases translate to the pros and he’s an excellent all around back, something Cook isn’t. Some other rookies will be expected to shoulder a high workload and be on the field for short yardage situations, also things Cook can’t do effectively. I hope we can work something out with Cook. He’s an excellent runner and he helps this team, but he is limited in several areas. There is no way should he get close to the $15M AAV he’s asking for.  

[DrDawkinstein]

52 minutes ago, ddaryl said:

At some point you have to use the tools you have in front of you. Especially when a player starts negotiating on Social Media.

How much has Beanes and McDs goodwill really done for us. Can't even win a AFCC Game. The players he resigns are solid but none of them have gotten us further. 

I'm all for negotiating a better deal for Cook and your numbers you suggested are solid, and better than using tags and that works for me. BUT if he hangs onto numbers that do not fit the team going forward you use the tools you have at your disposal. Thats the business.

 

He is publicly asking for $15M. One could assume that is just his/his agent's starting point (always start high) and there may be some wiggle room to come down. But even if we take it at face value and assume he is locked in to $15M/yr...

 

I dont get the logic of using a tag, pissing him off, bringing in the bad optics to the FO, upsetting the locker room, and then still having to pay him $14M, or even worse in your numbers $15-$18M anyways.

 

The current RB franchise tag is $13.6M. For $1.4M just get it done. Keep everyone happy and keep the good karma going.

 

All that said, I do think we can get it done in the $12M range. Fingers crossed. Go Bills

[ddaryl]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

He is publicly asking for $15M. One could assume that is just his/his agent's starting point (always start high) and there may be some wiggle room to come down. But even if we take it at face value and assume he is locked in to $15M/yr...

 

I dont get the logic of using a tag, pissing him off, bringing in the bad optics to the FO, upsetting the locker room, and then still having to pay him $14M, or even worse in your numbers $15-$18M anyways.

 

The current RB franchise tag is $13.6M. For $1.4M just get it done. Keep everyone happy and keep the good karma going.

 

All that said, I do think we can get it done in the $12M range. Fingers crossed. Go Bills

 

if you can then yes, if you can not use the tools, that is all I have said in this thread.

BUT No matter what happens he has chosen social media to vent his frustration or make his desires known and that is something I have ZERO repsect for. Personally I honestly do not care what happens to Cook. SIgn him to a deal, Trade him or force him to play on a tag in 2026, he chose a path that I do not respect. 

I also have no clue what you are saying about bad optics, its a business and to be honest all the good optics that you say the FO is working towards hasn't done ***** for this team. We are still the team who can't get past the AFCC so every single optic be damned. Keep the best players anyway you can including using tags when needed.

Edited Thursday at 04:02 PM by ddaryl

[Mat68]

17 hours ago, H2o said:

Cook is a good player. But I think TreVeyon Henderson and Omarion Hampton could fill his shoes just fine. If someone is willing to give us a 2nd, I make that deal and let them pay him. We have enough going on without tying up $15M in a RB right now. Unless they do one of those "outward appearance" deals making it with void years, and where it doesn't hurt us now or down the line really. 

The last part is what all contracts are.  Give the agent the 15 avp win. Give buffalo the cap space and flexibility that is really a 2 year deal instead of 4.  I dislike the idea of a lateral move with day 1 or day 2 picks.  They need to enhance the roster not maintain it.  Moving Cook hurts one of the team strengths.