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

[MasterStrategist]

9 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

Ray Davis in his only start scrimmaged 150 total yards.

 

Can Davis and a mid round pick replace Cook? Probably not fully.
 

But if it's 80-85 percent production plus another 15 mil in cap space for the roster , then I'm choosing that for sure 

Lose alot of explosiveness going from Cook to Ray.  Jets run defense was also terrible this year.

 

Ray is a solid #2 right now.  Reminds me of Moss.

 

And it won't be $15m of cap.  If it's $15 aav, I'm sure we will have this structured to have an exit and avg way less than $15

[BillsFan130]

17 minutes ago, MasterStrategist said:

Lose alot of explosiveness going from Cook to Ray.  Jets run defense was also terrible this year.

 

Ray is a solid #2 right now.  Reminds me of Moss.

 

And it won't be $15m of cap.  If it's $15 aav, I'm sure we will have this structured to have an exit and avg way less than $15

Cook is better no doubt. But you can't pay everyone. And running back is a pretty easy position to fill 

[Dukestreetking]

1 hour ago, 3rdand12 said:

He is fun to watch , I will give you that

Funny you mentioned that, as I just watched a '24 highlight reel.

 

With perspective gained from the season's distance, I'm further appreciating his core game.

 

Man, he really improved his 2nd level power and spatial awareness. I was freaking pumped all over again.

 

Now, as you and others allude, if he can only be relied on to 3rdD passpro...

[FireChans]

Someone please show this tweet to James’ agent.

 

 

[MarkyMannn]

3 hours ago, Magox said:

He had a good season but I wouldn’t consider it to be better stats.  He had 25% more carries than Cook with only about 120 more total yards and his epa was lower, had almost half a yard per carry lower, 10 less TD’s and he fumbled the ball 5 times and lost it 3 times vs Cook fumbling it once with none lost

You could argue total TDs Jones had 7 to Cook's 21. I agree with you no way Cook takes that kind of deal.

 

I don't understand so many posters are so happy with all the re-signings and raises handed out by Beane, yet want to squeeze Cook like a pimple. I'd offer the Shakir contract to him, I think it's fair

[Magox]

7 minutes ago, MarkyMannn said:

You could argue total TDs Jones had 7 to Cook's 21. I agree with you no way Cook takes that kind of deal.

 

I don't understand so many posters are so happy with all the re-signings and raises handed out by Beane, yet want to squeeze Cook like a pimple. I'd offer the Shakir contract to him, I think it's fair

The running back market has been depressed over the past 5 years and that deflationary cycle is now being broke.   So it’s hard to break out of that thinking that RB’s are a dime a dozen and to pay over $10M is crazy.

 

Thats not the case any longer, teams are running it more and the cap is exploding, contracts for RB’s are going  up.  
 

Cook is a playmaker and our 2nd best offensive skilled player on the team.   They are going to sign him min, they’re just negotiating.  Cook rightfully believes he should be around $15M and the Bills are trying to get him for less. It’s taking a little time, I imagine a similar argument is going on with Benford as well.

[SCBills]

10 minutes ago, MarkyMannn said:

You could argue total TDs Jones had 7 to Cook's 21. I agree with you no way Cook takes that kind of deal.

 

I don't understand so many posters are so happy with all the re-signings and raises handed out by Beane, yet want to squeeze Cook like a pimple. I'd offer the Shakir contract to him, I think it's fair

It’s because he’s a RB, who struggles in pass pro.  
 

Meaning we need to also pay for a reliable 3rd down back. 
 

If we don’t pay Cook, we can pay extra somewhere like corner… Chavarius Ward or safety.. Jevon Holland. 
 

To me, that makes way more sense than paying Cook. 
 

And heaven forbid we finally get JA top half of the league WR room. 

[BillsFan130]

23 minutes ago, SCBills said:

It’s because he’s a RB, who struggles in pass pro.  
 

Meaning we need to also pay for a reliable 3rd down back. 
 

If we don’t pay Cook, we can pay extra somewhere like corner… Chavarius Ward or safety.. Jevon Holland. 
 

To me, that makes way more sense than paying Cook. 
 

And heaven forbid we finally get JA top half of the league WR room. 

Bingo. RB is also the easiest position to fill.

 

If the O line is good, the Rb is gonna be good. If the o line sucks, the RB isn't gonna have much success.

 

Ray Davis in my opinion is average at best. And In the 1 game cook missed, he got 150 scrimmage yards

[BuffaloRebound]

Cook following his brothers playbook.  Threatened a holdout after year 3 which resulted in a 5 year $63m deal.  He got cut 3 years later and was washed up after his 6th year in League.  I don’t blame Cook for wanting as much as he can get right now.  A Running Backs shelf life is extremely short.  If everyone is taking slightly less than market value though, might have to deal him if he’s insisting on $15m per year.  I’m sure Dallas would give us a 2nd rounder 

[3rdand12]

21 hours ago, Dukestreetking said:

Funny you mentioned that, as I just watched a '24 highlight reel.

 

With perspective gained from the season's distance, I'm further appreciating his core game.

 

Man, he really improved his 2nd level power and spatial awareness. I was freaking pumped all over again.

 

Now, as you and others allude, if he can only be relied on to 3rdD passpro...

Glad you saw the improvement ! Sure the line improved under Kromer and Brady but he took it up a notch with his understanding and execution.

His production would be missed I feel. Might have to tweak a few things

But I cant say Bills won't find a very good fit in a threesome of Davis , Ty and rookie. or maybe there is a vet in FA who brings the second gear speed.

Will likely take a year to get  a new Draft pick to perform to 110%. Like Cook did

worried not worried lol

[first_and_ten]

On 2/12/2025 at 8:17 PM, Victory Formation said:

Outside of Josh Allen, James Cook leads the Bills in TDs by a wide margin.

 

James Cook 18 TDs total

Ray Davis 6 TDs total

Mack Hollins 5 TDs total

Keon Coleman 4 TDs total

Khalil Shakir 4 TDs total

Ty Johnson 4 TDs total

Dalton Kincaid 2 TDs total

Amari Cooper 2 TDs total

Tyrell Shavers 1 TD total

Quentin Morris 1 TD total

Curtis Samuel 1 TDs

Dawson Knox 1 TDs

 

——-

 

I would also like to add a few other points that I failed to touch on in my earlier posts:

 

1.) If Josh Allen gets injured and misses 2-4 games, Cook can carry the team and help us win a few of those games..

2.) The NFL is moving back to running the ball. The Eagles and Ravens are two very good examples of that.

 

3.) If Josh Allen is struggling we can still pound the ball effectively.

 

4.) James Cook put up 18 TDs is highly impressive. He’s entering LaDanian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes type territory. 

 

5.) Cook is not just a speed back he ran physically all year. He had no issue with lowering his pads getting tough yards..

 

 

Disclaimer: I am usually diametrically opposed to signing running backs as well but Cook is too good to let walk, he’s young too and this is only his second contract.

 

 

What would you consider a good offer from the Bills ?

Edited 18 hours ago by first_and_ten

[Victory Formation]

14 minutes ago, first_and_ten said:

 

 

What would you consider a good offer from the Bills ?

He has one year left on his deal, he is set to make $5M this season. I think Buffalo should add three years onto his existing deal and add $39M in new money. So he would be somewhere in the 4 year $44M (or $11M/year) territory.

 

He would make less than he would on the open market but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Stefon Diggs bet on himself, how did that work out?

 

$44M is life changing money.

[first_and_ten]

3 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

He has one year left on his deal, he is set to make $5M this season. I think Buffalo should add three years onto his existing deal and add $39M in new money. So he would be somewhere in the 4 year $44M (or $11M/year) territory.

 

He would make less than he would on the open market but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Stefon Diggs bet on himself, how did that work out?

 

$44M is life changing money.

 

I like that proposal, but would he accept?

[Victory Formation]

3 minutes ago, first_and_ten said:

 

I like that proposal, but would he accept?

It’s tough to say. Some players are willing to bet on themselves but others are willing to take less money in case they get injured or have a bad season.

 

He may never have the chance to make $44M ever again. One ACL tear and he will be making $5M/year on one year deals for the rest of his career.

 

I’d take the money if it was me.

[Lost]

These free agent signings have been pretty uninspiring for the Bills so far.   We have cap money now and all the elite names are spoken for and yet we have the league leader in TDs and second best player on our offense from last year sitting here waiting for a new contract.  

 

15 million/year seems like a bargain for the contracts that have been flying around out there this weekend.  

 

There, I said it.   Flame away.

[oldmanfan]

Or what?

[JTown]

I think Beane should get a deal done for Cook.  Beane said he likes to draft, develop and resign players.  

IMO.... Cook proved his value last season and is certainly worth more than 5mm /yr.

 

Get er done Beane.

[Low Positive]

8 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

Or what?

Lost is going to go to Beane's House, knock on the door, and scream this in his face. 

 

[Inigo Montoya]

There may be a bit of passive aggressive Beane action here.  Resign everyone who stayed off social media first.  Beane says he doesn't care, but you know it has to rankle him a little bit.  I think a deal will get done, but not before using it as a teaching moment for the rest of the roster.  I suspect player agents will also take notice and advise their players to shut up with the social media stuff when dealing with Beane.

[MasterStrategist]

1 hour ago, Inigo Montoya said:

There may be a bit of passive aggressive Beane action here.  Resign everyone who stayed off social media first.  Beane says he doesn't care, but you know it has to rankle him a little bit.  I think a deal will get done, but not before using it as a teaching moment for the rest of the roster.  I suspect player agents will also take notice and advise their players to shut up with the social media stuff when dealing with Beane.

Did I miss Benford posting emojis on social media?