Has Cook talked himself OFF the Bills for 2025

[Doc Brown]

  On 3/22/2025 at 11:10 AM, BarleyNY said:

Yes, they can do whatever they want with his contract now. Coming to terms with added incentives could be a workable solution for this season. It’s a good idea IMO. 

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The Giants and Raiders did that with Barkley and Jacobs after franchise tagging them.  Albeit, they were first round picks and every down backs.  It might be a good compromise though.

[SoonerBillsFan]

  On 3/22/2025 at 5:13 PM, SirAndrew said:

I understand that 15 million is too much for Cook, but this offense is in trouble without him. Fans become passionate about players who ask for too much money, but many of us are underestimating Cook’s value to this team. We have a roster without a legitimate outside receiver, and Cook was a force last season. This offense might struggle to function at a high level without Cook. I’m not saying we should pay him, but the loss of Cook would be concerning. 

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Some fans overstate his value.  Davis can play all 3 downs and block, who knows what kind of stats he would have put up as the featured back.

 

 

Edited March 22 by SoonerBillsFan

[Steptide]

Didn't read all the replys, but if a deal doesn't get done prior to the draft, I think the draft will be very telling. If they spend a 2nd round pick on a rb, cook is gone. I doubt they do that, but if they don't wanna pay cook and cook is dead set on 15 mil/season, it's not completely out of the question 

[Since1981]

His trade value is high at this moment (see SB winner and Ravens) I can go either way. Do not like his brother’s social media 

Edited March 22 by Since1981

[Maine-iac]

Cook was out for the Jets game I was at and Davis ran for 97 yards had another 55 receiving.  There's alot of positions where our starter is out and I'm worried it will effect our whole game plan.  Cook is out and Davis starting does not instantly make me think we can't run our offense.  I'd love to have Cook back and I'm not against him trying to get paid but I think everyone knows we are not toothless without him in the offense. 

[SirAndrew]

  On 3/22/2025 at 8:34 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

Some fans overstate his value.  Davis can play all 3 downs and block, who knows what kind of stats he would have put up as the featured back.

 

 

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You’re correct, Davis can do all of those things, but he’s a really good RB2 at this point. Cook is an elite offensive weapon, I don’t feel the same about Davis, although he is a talented player. I respect if you view Davis and Cook as equals, but I would disagree with that assessment.
 

I generally agree about running backs. Davis would be just fine with an elite QB like Allen. However, I’d obviously rather have Davis and Cook. I find this position of the utmost importance to us, because I don’t like our receiving group much. 

Edited March 22 by SirAndrew

[<bills4life>]

  On 3/22/2025 at 11:31 AM, Shortchaz said:

This is also where I’m at with it. 
 

Bills should make an honest effort to get him for $12-15 for the next 3-4, if it can’t be done look to trade. 

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Sorry but an 870 yd rushing average in three years should not equate to a 12 to 15 million year salary. The body of work just isn’t there. 

[3rdand12]

  On 3/22/2025 at 8:37 PM, Steptide said:

Didn't read all the replys, but if a deal doesn't get done prior to the draft, I think the draft will be very telling. If they spend a 2nd round pick on a rb, cook is gone. I doubt they do that, but if they don't wanna pay cook and cook is dead set on 15 mil/season, it's not completely out of the question 

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If a deal doesn't get done Bills need to look forward agreed. But they have Cook for another year. disgruntled or not.

Not sure where you draft RB is the tell myself

Bet Bills agree with you about the 15M .

[Warriorspikes51]

If a team offers a high 2nd for him….that would be tough to pass up.

 

I’d rather just keep him.  12 million per seems like a fair compromise.  I’d guess the Bills were thinking 8 mil per and he obviously wants 15

  On 3/22/2025 at 9:49 PM, <bills4life> said:

Sorry but an 870 yd rushing average in three years should not equate to a 12 to 15 million year salary. The body of work just isn’t there. 

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fair point. Counter is he played like an elite back this season.  He was our best player in the Championship game. If he got 7-10 more touches…think we win.

Edited March 22 by Warriorspikes51

[<bills4life>]

  On 3/22/2025 at 9:56 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

If a team offers a high 2nd for him….that would be tough to pass up.

 

I’d rather just keep him.  12 million per seems like a fair compromise.  I’d guess the Bills were thinking 8 mil per and he obviously wants 15

fair point. Counter is he played like an elite back this season.  He was our best player in the Championship game. If he got 7-10 more touched…think we win.

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True.  If he has another season like this past season I would have zero issue with paying him 12 mill a year. 
 

[SoonerBillsFan]

  On 3/22/2025 at 9:46 PM, SirAndrew said:

You’re correct, Davis can do all of those things, but he’s a really good RB2 at this point. Cook is an elite offensive weapon, I don’t feel the same about Davis, although he is a talented player. I respect if you view Davis and Cook as equals, but I would disagree with that assessment.
 

I generally agree about running backs. Davis would be just fine with an elite QB like Allen. However, I’d obviously rather have Davis and Cook. I find this position of the utmost importance to us, because I don’t like our receiving group much. 

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How do we know Davis isn't elite? He needs to play a full season and see what he can do.

[White Linen]

  On 3/22/2025 at 8:34 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

Some fans overstate his value.  Davis can play all 3 downs and block, who knows what kind of stats he would have put up as the featured back.

 

 

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I'm not ready to say this is true without seeing it.  Cook is really good and you're undervaluing him, at least to a point.  He's not easily replaceable, he's that good.  

[SirAndrew]

  On 3/22/2025 at 10:20 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

How do we know Davis isn't elite? He needs to play a full season and see what he can do.

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I absolutely agree with you, I’m just not sure if I want to find out this season with Keon Coleman or Josh Palmer as our best outside receiver. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

  On 3/22/2025 at 10:47 PM, SirAndrew said:

I absolutely agree with you, I’m just not sure if I want to find out this season with Keon Coleman or Josh Palmer as our best outside receiver. 

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I think Palmer surprises.  But... if Cook is set on 15 mill, then Davis starts and we draft a guy for the RB room.

[bobobonators]

  On 3/22/2025 at 4:07 AM, bigduke6 said:

i really dont like the way this whole scene is seemingly going to play out.  simply cannot overpay in this league anymore unless its for a QB.   we've got Benford looking for a bag,  Cook,  other guys upcoming and the team hasnt really gotten better enough to get over the hump.  Beane is trying to fill holes with value at key spots because he needs to keep other people happy.  is RB a key spot?  id rather pay Benford even with all his injury concerns over Cook,  who absolutely deserve a pay increase mind you.  i dont envy Beane in this case.

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i disagree. The only hump we need to get over is the mental hump of not being able to beat the Chiefs in the playoffs. Our lack of success vs the chiefs has zero to do with rosters/physical talent. We would have been in the Super Bowl at least 2x by now if not for the chiefs. We need therapists more than we need additional talent. 

if some of these players walk, it’s not the end of the world. Benford and Cook are expendable. Our rookie RB had 150 all purpose yds the one game he started. 

 

[nosejob]

  On 3/22/2025 at 8:34 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

Some fans overstate his value.  Davis can play all 3 downs and block, who knows what kind of stats he would have put up as the featured back.

 

 

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I like Cook and he could actually be the outside go route guy that we've needed....if he could catch the ball.

[SoTier]

  On 3/22/2025 at 7:59 PM, FireChans said:

What if he holds out

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I don't think he will.  If he does, he doesn't get paid at all for those games.  If he holds out long enough, 2025 doesn't count, so he'd be exactly where he is now next season.   Moreover, he risks Davis developing into a reliable three down, workhorse back who can be a reliable receiver out of the backfield and taking over the starting RB position while he's sitting out.

 

 

[nosejob]

  On 3/22/2025 at 11:04 PM, bobobonators said:

i disagree. The only hump we need to get over is the mental hump of not being able to beat the Chiefs in the playoffs. Our lack of success vs the chiefs has zero to do with rosters/physical talent. We would have been in the Super Bowl at least 2x by now if not for the chiefs. We need therapists more than we need additional talent. 

if some of these players walk, it’s not the end of the world. Benford and Cook are expendable. Our rookie RB had 150 all purpose yds the one game he started. 

 

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I'm not sold on a mental thing, We will kick their arse next time...as long as Reid doesn't do the usual, draft and sign way better than us.

[Shortchaz]

  On 3/22/2025 at 9:49 PM, <bills4life> said:

Sorry but an 870 yd rushing average in three years should not equate to a 12 to 15 million year salary. The body of work just isn’t there. 

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Tell josh Palmer 

[FireChans]

  On 3/22/2025 at 11:38 PM, SoTier said:

 

I don't think he will.  If he does, he doesn't get paid at all for those games.  If he holds out long enough, 2025 doesn't count, so he'd be exactly where he is now next season.   Moreover, he risks Davis developing into a reliable three down, workhorse back who can be a reliable receiver out of the backfield and taking over the starting RB position while he's sitting out.

 

 

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The point is to secure a contract so not getting paid for the first 5 games isn’t really a big deal. Neither is risking losing his job.

 

Lots of RBs have run that playbook. Including his brother.