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

[Nitro]

15 million?  Overvalued himself and probably listening to his brother.   Reality will hit soon.   Cap limits and seeing the salaries of better RBs will have a sobering effect. 

[HerdMentality]

Hey Joe Marino. I know you're here. You stole my intellectual property.

[Warriorspikes51]

This is a shame.  Cook was just starting to be legit loved by most of us 

Not a wise approach on his part.  His brother and others having a bad influence. 

[Doc Brown]

1 minute ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

This is a shame.  Cook was just starting to be legit loved by most of us 

Not a wise approach on his part.  His brother and others having a bad influence. 

Not me.  When I saw his agent saying he'd play against the Jets and then he didn't I knew what he was all about.  Make him hold out, play this year begrudgingly, and hope for a comp pick next year.

[DrPJax]

On 2/11/2025 at 11:28 PM, ghostwriter said:

He’s worth it. He should be a priority. He’s worth every penny. If Allen is having a bad game Cook can carry the team.

         I think you’re right.  We’ve made our share of personnel issues previously, why chance endings up with another unnecessary hole to fill. He’s only 25, has been a model player doing the growth and process as asked,  and he is probably your best speed threat.   He is a core offensive player.  I would give him 13 for sure or tag him which I think is 13.   Finally have great production in the run game and no assurances how the off season goes and if this staff will support Allen with guys who actually can make plays in the post season. Hopefully they do more than get above avg talent at the wr position and last year wasn’t just an outlier. The problem is , REALITY WE DIDNT WIN THE SB !   You stated as a franchise you would pay guys who develop, so if you paid someome like Knox WHILE drafting kincade , Cook has Been at least that productive if not more kincade might not even fully meet expectations so don’t let someome who has exceeded expectations be undervalued and leave. 

 

     I would try 13 or tag him ; if he’s dumb enough to sit out , at least you did all you could. Beane is reluctant to get egg on his face once again , or at least he should be. The cap keeps going up and 13 a year is market value. Then it’s in his hands , most guys know siting out is insane as you can’t recoup a lost year of money.   I think he would play for 13 ; the important issue is the run game and good d got teams to the SB the past couple years and the Eagles are not  going anywhere so don’t lose MORE ground.  Try to not take steps back while the division stinks cuz it won’t stay that way.
 

       Just my opinion; if you had gotten past KC or won a SB, then you have talent to spare but this team  isn’t there yet.  You didn’t even get to the SB With an MVP season at qb! You are drafting 30th ; it would be like letting thurm walk after the first SB; it doesn’t make sense until you prove you can actually win ONE SB, or at least play in one.  Cook has been by far the best RB to play with Allen, Good luck Beane , you’re gonna need it this off season. 

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

Not me.  When I saw his agent saying he'd play against the Jets and then he didn't I knew what he was all about.  Make him hold out, play this year begrudgingly, and hope for a comp pick next year.

 

What are you getting at here?

[Norcalbillsfan]

He hasn't come out and said he's holding out for 15. He just pinned the comment, so we will see what he actually wants but I highly doubt any team is paying 15 for a rb that plays half the snaps and is a liability at best in pass pro. And to be honest I hate diva behavior, but being an RB in the NFL is one of the worst positions in the league. He knows on average he has 2-3 more prime years without an injury and his style of running relies on his speed and acceleration. I can't blame the guy trying to take advantage of his best season while in his prime and make some money. 

 

I 100% want cook on this team, that being said.. pete carrol loves running the football, and the raiders have no one at rb with too many other holes to fill in the draft... If a pick and cook got us max crosby... Ray Davis all of a sudden doesn't sound too bad.

[Doc Brown]

34 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

What are you getting at here?

Nothing really.  Just that him and his agent would be aggressive in getting a contract extension this off-season.  I've never seen an agent leak to reporters that their player would play and then they didn't.  A chance to showcase himself on MNF for a future contract was the only thing that made sense.

[IBTG81]

He just posted a pic of an hour glass to his IG stories. 

[BigDingus]

I swear, any time a player wants to get paid it exposes the true colors of so many fans.

 

"We support our guys! Unless they advocate for themselves... then screw that, trade them away!"

 

He's not even trying to leave or suggesting he wants to play elsewhere. He's not starting drama with our QB & the players love him. 

 

Josh has few weapons as it is, and Cook was the best of the bunch. "RBs are a dime a dozen!" - Right, that's why we tried & tried & tried some more, yet never could get consistent production from the run game. We wasted draft picks on Singletary & Moss, had years where we rotated 3 guys, had aging veterans, etc. but never had someone as reliable or productive as Cook (both in the run game & pass game).

 

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?  After we all saw how successful he was, how he was our best weapon, and how KC didn't have an answer for him?

 

He says he wants $15 million a year, which is a lot for a RB but not nearly that much in the grand scheme of things. Top WRs cost double that, and Cook has been more important to this team's success than any of our WRs. We're paying Groot $13.5 million in 2025, but he doesn't have the impact Cook has had.

 

And just because he's putting out there $15 million, doesn't mean that's the only number he'd accept. It's a starting point, and they have a number of options including signing bonuses or stat bonuses that he could take. A lot of players just want teams to show them they're valued & to not low-ball them, so you never know what he'd really take.

 

We have Ed Oliver taking up $20 million a next year, Curtis Samuel $9 million, a rotational DE in Epenesa makes $7.5 million, our 2nd TE Dawson Knox makes $14.5 million. $12 - $15 million is not too much for a player that's been as good as Cook, the problem is the other places we've been spending so much money.

 

Cook & the offense carried this team. Those players deserve to be paid. But so much money is invested in this defense that can't do squat in the playoffs. $20+ million a year for Von, $20 million for Ed, $9.5 million for Jones, $16 million for Milano, $13.5 million for Groot... Hell, even the $4+ million for Elam's rookie contract is a waste given what he's done. 

 

But whether we can afford to keep Cook or not, stop getting all mad when players want to be rewarded for their efforts. RBs get treated like crap compared to other positions, and I've seen so many people suggest "run him till the tires come off & let him walk." That's part of the problem. RBs are a unique position that don't often get rewarded with their first big, post-rookie contract.

 

Cook is healthy, he's only 25 years old, and he was our best offensive weapon when we used him. Stop getting all mad that he wants to get paid. If you don't want to pay him, there's no problem with that. I just don't like how so many fans have suddenly turned on him & painted him a villain for doing something completely normal.

Edited February 14 by BigDingus

[BillytheKid]

5 hours ago, Ya Digg? said:

I would trade him but not because he’s a “diva” (he’s not at all, btw). I’d trade him because his value will never be higher than it is right now.

 

The amount of disingenuous people in this thread who have all of a sudden turned on Cook because he wants to get paid are absurd. Barely a bad thing said about him all season, and now it seems every other post is equating him to Diggs

He unfollowed the Bills on his social media and took everything down related to the Bills.

 

To me that’s being a Diva. Everyone can have their own opinion though.

 

I have no time for cancers on the team. That will ruin the team faster than anything. 

[Doc Brown]

1 hour ago, BigDingus said:

I swear, any time a player wants to get paid it exposes who the true colors of so many fans.

 

"We support our guys! Unless they advocate for themselves... then screw that, trade them away!"

 

He's not even trying to leave or suggesting he wants to play elsewhere. He's not starting drama with our QB & the players love him. 

 

Josh has few weapons as it is, and Cook was the best of the bunch. "RBs are a dime a dozen!" - Right, that's why we tried & tried & tried some more, yet never could get consistent production from the run game. We wasted draft picks on Singletary & Moss, had years where we rotated 3 guys, had aging veterans, etc. but never had someone as reliable or productive as Cook (both in the run game & pass game).

 

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?  After we all saw how successful he was, how he was our best weapon, and how KC didn't have an answer for him?

 

He says he wants $15 million a year, which is a lot for a RB but not nearly that much in the grand scheme of things. Top WRs cost double that, and Cook has been more important to this team's success than any of our WRs. We're paying Groot $13.5 million in 2025, but he doesn't have the impact Cook has had.

 

And just because he's putting out there $15 million, doesn't mean that's the only number he'd accept. It's a starting point, and they have a number of options including signing bonuses or stat bonuses that he could take. A lot of players just want teams to show them they're valued & to not low-ball them, so you never know what he'd really take.

 

We have Ed Oliver taking up $20 million a next year, Curtis Samuel $9 million, a rotational DE in Epenesa makes $7.5 million, our 2nd TE Dawson Knox makes $14.5 million. $12 - $15 million is not too much for a player that's been as good as Cook, the problem is the other places we've been spending so much money.

 

Cook & the offense carried this team. Those players deserve to be paid. But so much money is invested in this defense that can't do squat in the playoffs. $20+ million a year for Von, $20 million for Ed, $9.5 million for Jones, $16 million for Milano, $13.5 million for Groot... Hell, even the $4+ million for Elam's rookie contract is a waste given what he's done. 

 

But whether we can afford to keep Cook or not, stop getting all mad when players want to be rewarded for their efforts. RBs get treated like crap compared to other positions, and I've seen so many people suggest "run him till the tires come off & let him walk." That's part of the problem. RBs are a unique position that don't often get rewarded with their first big, post-rookie contract.

 

Cook is healthy, he's only 25 years old, and he was our best offensive weapon when we used him. Stop getting all mad that he wants to get paid. If you don't want to pay him, there's no problem with that. I just don't like how so many fans have suddenly turned on him & painted him a villain for doing something completely normal.

You know who else deserves extensions and hasn't made a peep about it on social media?  Benford, Bernard, and Shakir.  Acting like a petulant child on social media is a bad look and only hurts your reputation.  Let your agent and GM work behind the scenes to get an extension done.  Every team has tape on Cook and can assess his true value. 

[Kirby Jackson]

7 hours ago, BeastMaster said:

Why are you highlighting parts you want to use to make your point while ignoring the rest which clearly explains why I think he's probably a me first player looking for as much money as he can get and will cause distractions and whatever else he can if the Bills don't meet his demands

 

So, yeah...it's not just the social media comments. It's that he wants 15 mil per year and he's not an every down back, plus he's gone about this in a way that makes me wary of him and his commitment to the team and his motivations.

 

And Josh Allen was and will always be the best player on the field every game. Cook couldn't even be out there when the game was on the line, my guy. 

 

Lol, I just put your words back into a sentence. That’s what YOU said. You were willing to go to $33M but now you don’t think he belongs on the team. I’m sorry if that highlighted the absurdity of that for you. Those were your words. It obviously sounds crazy.
 

The only thing that’s changed from 3 weeks ago is that he said what he wants publicly. Do you think that was a shock to the Bills or do you think that they have known exactly what he wanted prior to this social media incident? 

[UKBillFan]

3 hours ago, BigDingus said:

I swear, any time a player wants to get paid it exposes who the true colors of so many fans.

 

"We support our guys! Unless they advocate for themselves... then screw that, trade them away!"

 

He's not even trying to leave or suggesting he wants to play elsewhere. He's not starting drama with our QB & the players love him. 

 

Josh has few weapons as it is, and Cook was the best of the bunch. "RBs are a dime a dozen!" - Right, that's why we tried & tried & tried some more, yet never could get consistent production from the run game. We wasted draft picks on Singletary & Moss, had years where we rotated 3 guys, had aging veterans, etc. but never had someone as reliable or productive as Cook (both in the run game & pass game).

 

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?  After we all saw how successful he was, how he was our best weapon, and how KC didn't have an answer for him?

 

He says he wants $15 million a year, which is a lot for a RB but not nearly that much in the grand scheme of things. Top WRs cost double that, and Cook has been more important to this team's success than any of our WRs. We're paying Groot $13.5 million in 2025, but he doesn't have the impact Cook has had.

 

And just because he's putting out there $15 million, doesn't mean that's the only number he'd accept. It's a starting point, and they have a number of options including signing bonuses or stat bonuses that he could take. A lot of players just want teams to show them they're valued & to not low-ball them, so you never know what he'd really take.

 

We have Ed Oliver taking up $20 million a next year, Curtis Samuel $9 million, a rotational DE in Epenesa makes $7.5 million, our 2nd TE Dawson Knox makes $14.5 million. $12 - $15 million is not too much for a player that's been as good as Cook, the problem is the other places we've been spending so much money.

 

Cook & the offense carried this team. Those players deserve to be paid. But so much money is invested in this defense that can't do squat in the playoffs. $20+ million a year for Von, $20 million for Ed, $9.5 million for Jones, $16 million for Milano, $13.5 million for Groot... Hell, even the $4+ million for Elam's rookie contract is a waste given what he's done. 

 

But whether we can afford to keep Cook or not, stop getting all mad when players want to be rewarded for their efforts. RBs get treated like crap compared to other positions, and I've seen so many people suggest "run him till the tires come off & let him walk." That's part of the problem. RBs are a unique position that don't often get rewarded with their first big, post-rookie contract.

 

Cook is healthy, he's only 25 years old, and he was our best offensive weapon when we used him. Stop getting all mad that he wants to get paid. If you don't want to pay him, there's no problem with that. I just don't like how so many fans have suddenly turned on him & painted him a villain for doing something completely normal.

 

I'm not annoyed with him wanting to get paid. I'm annoyed with the social media games he's playing. He could keep everything behind closed doors but he's decided to play up instead. Enough of the diva behavior. If he doesn't want people to make judgements on what he's asking for, maybe don't tell us all in the first place.

[Kirby Jackson]

3 hours ago, BigDingus said:

I swear, any time a player wants to get paid it exposes who the true colors of so many fans.

 

"We support our guys! Unless they advocate for themselves... then screw that, trade them away!"

 

He's not even trying to leave or suggesting he wants to play elsewhere. He's not starting drama with our QB & the players love him. 

 

Josh has few weapons as it is, and Cook was the best of the bunch. "RBs are a dime a dozen!" - Right, that's why we tried & tried & tried some more, yet never could get consistent production from the run game. We wasted draft picks on Singletary & Moss, had years where we rotated 3 guys, had aging veterans, etc. but never had someone as reliable or productive as Cook (both in the run game & pass game).

 

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?  After we all saw how successful he was, how he was our best weapon, and how KC didn't have an answer for him?

 

He says he wants $15 million a year, which is a lot for a RB but not nearly that much in the grand scheme of things. Top WRs cost double that, and Cook has been more important to this team's success than any of our WRs. We're paying Groot $13.5 million in 2025, but he doesn't have the impact Cook has had.

 

And just because he's putting out there $15 million, doesn't mean that's the only number he'd accept. It's a starting point, and they have a number of options including signing bonuses or stat bonuses that he could take. A lot of players just want teams to show them they're valued & to not low-ball them, so you never know what he'd really take.

 

We have Ed Oliver taking up $20 million a next year, Curtis Samuel $9 million, a rotational DE in Epenesa makes $7.5 million, our 2nd TE Dawson Knox makes $14.5 million. $12 - $15 million is not too much for a player that's been as good as Cook, the problem is the other places we've been spending so much money.

 

Cook & the offense carried this team. Those players deserve to be paid. But so much money is invested in this defense that can't do squat in the playoffs. $20+ million a year for Von, $20 million for Ed, $9.5 million for Jones, $16 million for Milano, $13.5 million for Groot... Hell, even the $4+ million for Elam's rookie contract is a waste given what he's done. 

 

But whether we can afford to keep Cook or not, stop getting all mad when players want to be rewarded for their efforts. RBs get treated like crap compared to other positions, and I've seen so many people suggest "run him till the tires come off & let him walk." That's part of the problem. RBs are a unique position that don't often get rewarded with their first big, post-rookie contract.

 

Cook is healthy, he's only 25 years old, and he was our best offensive weapon when we used him. Stop getting all mad that he wants to get paid. If you don't want to pay him, there's no problem with that. I just don't like how so many fans have suddenly turned on him & painted him a villain for doing something completely normal.

Perfectly said!! That’s the point that I’ve been attempting to make WAY less articulately than you just did. This isn’t about “should the Bills give Cook $15M?” This is about how insane it is that fans are willing to dump one of the best 5 players on this team because he scrubbed his social media and said he wants a couple million more than fans wanted him to be paid. (Why fans CARE what a guy makes is beyond me if the cap implications are minimal). Great post!!!

 

4 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

 

I'm not annoyed with him wanting to get paid. I'm annoyed with the social media games he's playing. He could keep everything behind closed doors but he's decided to play up instead. Enough of the diva behavior. If he doesn't want people to make judgements on what he's asking for, maybe don't tell us all in the first place.

Lol, that’s the entire point!! How much would you have paid him per year if you never heard what he wanted? If the answer is $10M+ which it obviously is from pretty much everyone, what’s so different other than you now know (which is extremely common btw)? Is he less important to the team now? He was great down the stretch and isn’t easily replaced. His teammates love him. People NOW want to replace him because he scrubbed his social media? 🤣🤣 That’s so ridiculous. 🤣🤣

[ProcessTruster]

On 2/11/2025 at 11:24 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

Frank Gore Jr. chimes in with "U deserve it".

 

Jonathan Taylor makes 14m per and Saquon Barkley makes 12.5m per. 15 is a wild ask.

 

I hope we aren't setting up for an offseason holdout.

He is absolutely holding out.  His agent will definately require that.  that is standard operating procedure in this situation.  Fanbase will be tested on this one as it will get nasty.   Draft is deep in RBs;  Cook is useless in pass protection, only plays half the snaps.  Beane will prepare to move on from him and see what happens. 

On 2/11/2025 at 11:24 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

Frank Gore Jr. chimes in with "U deserve it".

 

Jonathan Taylor makes 14m per and Saquon Barkley makes 12.5m per. 15 is a wild ask.

 

I hope we aren't setting up for an offseason holdout.

He is absolutely holding out.  His agent will definately require that.  that is standard operating procedure in this situation.  Fanbase will be tested on this one as it will get nasty.   Draft is deep in RBs;  Cook is useless in pass protection, only plays half the snaps.  Beane will prepare to move on from him and see what happens. 

On 2/11/2025 at 11:24 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

Frank Gore Jr. chimes in with "U deserve it".

 

Jonathan Taylor makes 14m per and Saquon Barkley makes 12.5m per. 15 is a wild ask.

 

I hope we aren't setting up for an offseason holdout.

He is absolutely holding out.  His agent will definately require that.  that is standard operating procedure in this situation.  Fanbase will be tested on this one as it will get nasty.   Draft is deep in RBs;  Cook is useless in pass protection, only plays half the snaps.  Beane will prepare to move on from him and see what happens. 

On 2/11/2025 at 11:24 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

Frank Gore Jr. chimes in with "U deserve it".

 

Jonathan Taylor makes 14m per and Saquon Barkley makes 12.5m per. 15 is a wild ask.

 

I hope we aren't setting up for an offseason holdout.

He is absolutely holding out.  His agent will definately require that.  that is standard operating procedure in this situation.  Fanbase will be tested on this one as it will get nasty.   Draft is deep in RBs;  Cook is useless in pass protection, only plays half the snaps.  Beane will prepare to move on from him and see what happens. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

7 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

This is a shame.  Cook was just starting to be legit loved by most of us 

Not a wise approach on his part.  His brother and others having a bad influence. 

Pay no attention to the business side of it.

 

Fans only look at one side. As soon as Cook can’t play at a top level we’re ready to cut him. But when he wants more money and tries to put pressure on the team we get upset.

 

Its all business. 

[UKBillFan]

45 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Perfectly said!! That’s the point that I’ve been attempting to make WAY less articulately than you just did. This isn’t about “should the Bills give Cook $15M?” This is about how insane it is that fans are willing to dump one of the best 5 players on this team because he scrubbed his social media and said he wants a couple million more than fans wanted him to be paid. (Why fans CARE what a guy makes is beyond me if the cap implications are minimal). Great post!!!

 

Lol, that’s the entire point!! How much would you have paid him per year if you never heard what he wanted? If the answer is $10M+ which it obviously is from pretty much everyone, what’s so different other than you now know (which is extremely common btw)? Is he less important to the team now? He was great down the stretch and isn’t easily replaced. His teammates love him. People NOW want to replace him because he scrubbed his social media? 🤣🤣 That’s so ridiculous. 🤣🤣

 

It's his ACTIONS which are causing the problem for me. Not however much he's asking for. I get the argument what's the difference between $12m and $15m but that's down to Beane and the bean(e) counters. My issue is the way Cook's handling this in the public domain.

 

ETA - As said, there are others who are deserving extensions on the roster. Up til now, at least, they're all staying quiet.

Edited February 14 by UKBillFan

[Kirby Jackson]

37 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

 

It's his ACTIONS which are causing the problem for me. Not however much he's asking for. I get the argument what's the difference between $12m and $15m but that's down to Beane and the bean(e) counters. My issue is the way Cook's handling this in the public domain.

 

ETA - As said, there are others who are deserving extensions on the roster. Up til now, at least, they're all staying quiet.

Okay, so you don’t like the way that he handled it. Does that now mean that we shouldn’t pay him? Is he less important to the team? Do you think that this is the first that the team is hearing about it? Do you think that players look at him less favorably for this (spoiler: they don’t)? The Bills certainly knew this before he balled out against KC. The only things that’s changed is that fans now know. MANY on this board, have gone from “he’s been great” to “get him out of here” because he scrubbed his social media!! Lol, everyone knew he’d ask for money. All that’s changed is that we now know. The reactions from many on here are asinine. @BigDingus hit the nail on the head.

[nosejob]

Whatever happened to his brother?