Now will they still extend Benford or Cook?

[BobbyC81]

As others have said, I’d let Cook play out 2025, and draft another RB in the 4th or 5th round.   Worst case, you have to use a higher pick on a RB in 2026.   
 

Need to retain Benford if Rasual Douglas is leaving.

 

And how about trading Elam for a bag of footballs and a case of Molson.

[Special K]

It looks like a holdout is coming if Cook does not get extended......so I doubt he will happily "play out" the final year of his contract.

 

I am not sure if the Bills should extend Cook or not, but it seems to be trending toward "Cook gets extension, or Cook becomes a distraction" territory, IMO.

[Wizard]

I would offer Cook 4 years at 12 million. If he can't accept that, then let him play 2025 as was stated above.

 

I like Benford. He is really good. He is not $21 million a year good. If he can take like 4 years at $16-17 million per, then I would look to do that. Otherwise, I would let the market play itself out. There are about 5-6 corners between ages 25-29 that can be had at $21 million that are currently available.

 

Restructure Dawkins and see what happens by June 1 to determine best course of action for Jones, Milano, or Samuel.

 

We are not getting any elite FA's at this point.

 

Consider resigning Hollins or going after Slayton. Consider Mack on a one year incentive deal. Get a big NT if possible that just takes up space. This would be more than what we can do in FA.

 

Defensive draft with first 4 picks unless Bond or Higgins falls to where Buffalo feels comfortable.

 

Some combo of DT/DE/CB/SS and or double up on the position Bills feel is deepest in the draft that can provide reinforcements.

 

With Garrett, Crosby, and Metcalf gone, and the likelihood that Hendrickson or a top 3 CB is out of our price range, get 3/4 in FA (DT/DE/CB/Safety/WR) and then fill the rest with draft picks.

 

That is not the ideal DA/drafting plan, but it is probably the reality. Then, hope a Kenneth Grant is available in close range to our first round pick to move up for, and then draft a preferred DE/CB/WR possibly with those two 2nd round picks.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

Edited yesterday at 04:37 AM by Wizard

[RyanC883]

23 minutes ago, Wizard said:

I would offer Cook 4 years at 12 million. If he can't accept that, then let him play 2025 as was stated above.

 

I like Benford. He is really good. He is not $21 million a year good. If he can take like 4 years at $16-17 million per, then I would look to do that. Otherwise, I would let the market play itself out. There are about 5-6 corners between ages 25-29 that can be had at $21 million that are currently available.

 

Restructure Dawkins and see what happens by June 1 to determine best course of action for Jones, Milano, or Samuel.

 

We are not getting any elite FA's at this point.

 

Consider resigning Hollins or going after Slayton. Consider Mack on a one year incentive deal. Get a big NT if possible that just takes up space. This would be more than what we can do in FA.

 

Defensive draft with first 4 picks unless Bond or Higgins falls to where Buffalo feels comfortable.

 

Some combo of DT/DE/CB/SS and or double up on the position Bills feel is deepest in the draft that can provide reinforcements.

 

With Garrett, Crosby, and Metcalf gone, and the likelihood that Hendrickson or a top 3 CB is out of our price range, get 3/4 in FA (DT/DE/CB/Safety/WR) and then fill the rest with draft picks.

 

That is not the ideal DA/drafting plan, but it is probably the reality. Then, hope a Kenneth Grant and a preferred DE/CB/WR can come possibly with those two 2nd round picks.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

we need to trade up for Grant if necessary. 

 

We should also be able to get Slay ton and keep Hollins. 

 

Benford should be extended, and I like your proposed range, same with Cook.  Cook does not have a ton of leverage.  If he sits out he makes nothing and risks Davis or a draft pick looking like a stud and him (Cook) as a system back.  

[BillsFanForever19]

My gut says that there's probably some health concern over Benford getting two concussions in a week. They may want to see how he bounces back from that.

 

Combine that with the Cornerback market being a little trickier than say a Middle Linebacker or a Slot WR and I think that's why it hasn't been done yet - when i'd assume he'd be one of the first ones done.

 

Perhaps it still happens. But it wouldn't surprise me if they want to see how this season goes and worry about it next offseason. Especially if they go big game hunting at CB in Free Agency.

[Mister Defense]

Yes, all makes sense so far, to let our 2nd best offensive player, the only true game breaker, leave this year or next, as he enters his prime.  And create another significant need when they do so.  A 'bold' move...

 

Instead, I say the Bills are actually smart and sign Cook to a good extension in the next two weeks.

 

And Benford too, but the Bills do not break the bank to do so in my opinion.

 

I believe that the Bills will not offer, and Cook would not accept, the 12 million a year contract proposed here, not after Barkley is making 20+ a year now.  Not how it works in the NFL or life. And both Cook and the Bills know it.

 

 

[Charles Romes]

Wouldn’t it be wise to see Benford on the field fully recovered from the injuries late last season before committing to tens of $Ms in guarantees.  

[Doc Brown]

Has there been any rumblings of Cook even wanting an extension?

[MJS]

15 minutes ago, Charles Romes said:

Wouldn’t it be wise to see Benford on the field fully recovered from the injuries late last season before committing to tens of $Ms in guarantees.  

Maybe that gets you a bit of a discount if you do it now.

[Rocky Landing]

Perhaps not an apples to apples comparison, but Cook's actions are reminiscent of Diggs behavior, and they were willing to eat $30M+ to let Diggs go. Beane has a history of rewarding players who show themselves to be good teammates, along with being good players. Cook is engaging in behavior that I don't believe Beane, or McD will tolerate. It's a precedent that they have not allowed to be set, and as good as Cook is, I don't believe they're going to set it now.

[davefan66]

1 hour ago, Charles Romes said:

Wouldn’t it be wise to see Benford on the field fully recovered from the injuries late last season before committing to tens of $Ms in guarantees.  

If there is doubt, build the contract to reflect that. And add insurance - if a player is out, insurance can provide salary cap relief.

 

Insurance relief

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Special K said:

It looks like a holdout is coming if Cook does not get extended......so I doubt he will happily "play out" the final year of his contract.

 

I am not sure if the Bills should extend Cook or not, but it seems to be trending toward "Cook gets extension, or Cook becomes a distraction" territory, IMO.

 

If he holds out for significant time, his contract won’t “toll” and he ends up with the same contract length.  I believe the player has to play 50% of the year to have the year count.

[Thurman#1]

They should extend both of them - -  if the terms are reasonable.

 

It begins to look like Cook won't settle for reasonable terms. Which is his right. But no, we shouldn't extend him at $15M  AAV, or close.

 

No huge rush, but if there's mutuality soon, that would be great.

[Doc Brown]

2 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

Perhaps not an apples to apples comparison, but Cook's actions are reminiscent of Diggs behavior, and they were willing to eat $30M+ to let Diggs go. Beane has a history of rewarding players who show themselves to be good teammates, along with being good players. Cook is engaging in behavior that I don't believe Beane, or McD will tolerate. It's a precedent that they have not allowed to be set, and as good as Cook is, I don't believe they're going to set it now.

Just because he's advocating for himself on social media doesn't mean he isn't a good teammate/person etc...  McDermott went out of his way to compliment Cook for the work he put in to get better.  I only see downside to using social media when it comes to contract negotiations but it's not egregious enough of "engaging in behavior that I don't believe Beane or McD will tolerate."  How dare he stop following the Buffalo Bills on Instagram.   Hell, if he gives us Diggs like production for four years if we extend him he can send all the cryptic tweets he wants.  He seems like a quiet guy though so once he gets his money he should stop all the social media nonsense.

[Xwnyer]

3 hours ago, Charles Romes said:

Wouldn’t it be wise to see Benford on the field fully recovered from the injuries late last season before committing to tens of $Ms in guarantees.  

Agree maybe he came back to fast but two concussions could be a start of a bad direction 

[Toledo Bill]

6 hours ago, Special K said:

It looks like a holdout is coming if Cook does not get extended......so I doubt he will happily "play out" the final year of his contract.

 

I am not sure if the Bills should extend Cook or not, but it seems to be trending toward "Cook gets extension, or Cook becomes a distraction" territory, IMO.

Or trade material 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

My guess is neither right now. 

 

I am assuming that with the extensions (Bernard, Groot, Shakir), Von release and Josh Allen new deal, they are where they want to be for free agency. 
 

Once they make it into the summer and the roster is assembled, THEN I think you can get a Benford move. 
 

I thoroughly think they’ll let Cook play it out 

[SoonerBillsFan]

8 hours ago, BobbyC81 said:

As others have said, I’d let Cook play out 2025, and draft another RB in the 4th or 5th round.   Worst case, you have to use a higher pick on a RB in 2026.   
 

Need to retain Benford if Rasual Douglas is leaving.

 

And how about trading Elam for a bag of footballs and a case of Molson.

Free agency starts today.  Time to focus on that.

[MrEpsYtown]

I think both are tricky cases. Cook has been a very valuable back for us. However, he is not an every down player. I am not sure what he would command on the market as RBs still struggle in free agency. In my mind, if we just played Ty Johnson full-time, I am not sure the impact would be that much different. Excellent player but I really don't know what the play here is. 

 

Benford is the opposite. He is a really good player who plays a position the league typically overpays for. It would make sense to try and extend him, but what is that number? He has also dealt with some injuries so that is a concern and he is playing in a defense that is tailor-made for his abilities. 

 

I am not sure where they go with either. I am kind of ok with extending either or both. I am also ok with waiting it out on both. 

[Back2Buff]

I would never extend Cook to what he wants.  I'm a huge fan and said in the past he is a must re-sign, but not at 15 million.

 

I would let the Benford situation play out.  He needs to prove he can stay healthy.  Two years in a row he was unavailable in playoffs.  He has also missed games during the regular season in his first two years.  You can also just franchise tag him and work out a deal next year.  I dont get the rush to sign a guy who was so concussed.  

[Sweats]

8 hours ago, BobbyC81 said:

As others have said, I’d let Cook play out 2025, and draft another RB in the 4th or 5th round.   Worst case, you have to use a higher pick on a RB in 2026.   
 

Need to retain Benford if Rasual Douglas is leaving.

 

And how about trading Elam for a bag of footballs and a case of Molson.

 

 

 

Molson is too rich for our blood........make it a case of Schlitz or PBR and it's a good deal.