Has Cook talked himself OFF the Bills for 2025

[Maine-iac]

41 minutes ago, Playoffs? said:

Im sure Dalvin is in his ear, but why would weather matter?  In poor weather, don’t teams usually run the ball more?  Didn’t James shine in the snow game versus the 9ers this year?  Isn’t it possible that better weather means more passing?  I don’t know…

Not sure Dalvin is a good career coach.  Sure he got a big contract but that same contract probably got him cut, on his way to the Jets, and out of the league.  

[SoonerBillsFan]

14 hours ago, Julio Hopkins said:

 

Who cares?

 

Let him run routes on third down because he is a legitimate receiving threat.  

But Davis actually catches the ball 

[oldmanfan]

No reason to sweat it now, for Cook or Benford.  Both are under contract this coming season.  Beane and company should be focused on the draft right now.  After that they can deal with those two players if they want.  Or they can wait until they see how the beginning of the season goes.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

1 hour ago, Playoffs? said:

Im sure Dalvin is in his ear, but why would weather matter?  In poor weather, don’t teams usually run the ball more?  Didn’t James shine in the snow game versus the 9ers this year?  Isn’t it possible that better weather means more passing?  I don’t know…

Maybe. I don’t think the Florida kid is thinking about the Run/Pass tendencies of the warm weather in his down time.

[Doc Brown]

24 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

Not sure Dalvin is a good career coach.  Sure he got a big contract but that same contract probably got him cut, on his way to the Jets, and out of the league.  

Most RB's start to lose a step around 27 years old regardless of "wear and tear" on their body.  Seemed to be the case with Dalvin.  James will turn 26 in June.  The rookie salary structure screws RB's more than any other position.  Beane could very well play hardball with Cook and put the transition tag on him after next year but he hasn't done that (or the franchise tag) since he gotten here.  Should be interesting.

[Maine-iac]

2 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Most RB's start to lose a step around 27 years old regardless of "wear and tear" on their body.  Seemed to be the case with Dalvin.  James will turn 26 in June.  The rookie salary structure screws RB's more than any other position.  Beane could very well play hardball with Cook and put the transition tag on him after next year but he hasn't done that (or the franchise tag) since he gotten here.  Should be interesting.

I love Cook.  I don't think he's worth the 15 million but if Beane gave it to him we'd be better off than Knox and his contract.  That said if Knox had been in the media saying he was worth 15 million I'd say he's not also.  This organization has shown time and time again it will pay it's players even more than they probably needs to.  It's the spouting off in the media that I don't get.  I guess I'm just a fan of the quiet millionaire.

[finn]

5 hours ago, Maine-iac said:

It's the spouting off in the media that I don't get.  I guess I'm just a fan of the quiet millionaire.

People his age, especially men, are often surprisingly immature. They look like adults but have the mind of a 14-year old. Best advice for him would be to keep his mouth shut and let his agent do the talking. Beane said it all when he remarked, "I love James. I know he means well." Translation: "The guy is an idiot, but I'll try not to hold it against him."

Edited yesterday at 12:09 AM by finn

[Sweats]

On 3/22/2025 at 12:27 AM, Mike in Horseheads said:

Spiller just needed to get out in space! lol

 

 

 

 

Spiller just needed to get out PERIOD!!!

[Doc Brown]

31 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

I love Cook.  I don't think he's worth the 15 million but if Beane gave it to him we'd be better off than Knox and his contract.  That said if Knox had been in the media saying he was worth 15 million I'd say he's not also.  This organization has shown time and time again it will pay it's players even more than they probably needs to.  It's the spouting off in the media that I don't get.  I guess I'm just a fan of the quiet millionaire.

Not really.  Definitely in free agency but he'll let Bills players walk if they can find a better deal elsewhere (Edmunds, Davis, Phillips, Wallace, etc.). 

 

As for Knox, TE's make a little more and have a longer shelf life than RB's so I understood the contract at the time as he looked great his 3rd year (587 receiving yards, 9 TD's).  However, I didn't love the move as TE isn't a premium position.  It's very possible that Cook's year last year will be the best of his career.  Also, you can't use one bad extension to justify another potential bad extension.

[Maine-iac]

3 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Not really.  Definitely in free agency but he'll let Bills players walk if they can find a better deal elsewhere (Edmunds, Davis, Phillips, Wallace, etc.). 

 

As for Knox, TE's make a little more and have a longer shelf life than RB's so I understood the contract at the time as he looked great his 3rd year (587 receiving yards, 9 TD's).  However, I didn't love the move as TE isn't a premium position.  It's very possible that Cook's year last year will be the best of his career.  Also, you can't use one bad extension to justify another potential bad extension.

I didn't justify it.  

[Doc Brown]

1 minute ago, Maine-iac said:

I didn't justify it.  

You're right.  I misread.  The idea that at least if we overpay for Cook he'll give us more production than we got from overpaying Knox is probably what I'd do to cope.  Lol.

[Rocky Landing]

It's odd to me that so many on here are talking about Davis potentially becoming Cook's replacement, when they are clearly such different players. Cook has far better acceleration, and speed, while still being able to bounce off a defender, and stay on his feet. Davis does have reliable hands, but his speed in the secondary would take a lot of plays off the table, IMO. He's a great #2, RB, with the kind of down-hill, bruising running style the Bills need, but I have a hard time envisioning him as a feature back.

 

But here's the thing, if the Bills already have a replacement for Cook in mind, it's got to be the newly re-signed Ty Johnson, IMO. Cook made some great plays in the red zone last season, but so did Ty. Ty Johnson has consistently made absolutely eye-popping catches, and has shown incredible clutch efficiency, situational awareness, and proprioception, and he may even be a hair faster than Cook. He's put up highlight reel plays enough times to know it's not a fluke. He has the ability to help keep a play alive when it breaks down (an important skill for the Bills' offense).  And perhaps equally important, he has trust, and chemistry with Josh Allen-- you can't overstate the importance of that.

 

If tomorrow Brandon Beane said that they were moving on from James Cook, I'b be disappointed, but I wouldn't be worried about "who would replace his production," as another poster wondered. And, if in the next breath, Beane said that Ty Johnson would be the #1 for '25, my first thoughts would be, "... I can't wait to see that!"

[The Firebaugh Kid]

12 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

 

That's 90% of the team/NFL. The league doesnt even test for it anymore.

 

Beyond that... A real shame for fans to start personally attacking/slandering the guy with no real evidence just because he's trying to maximize his one-time payout from the trillion dollar NFL.

Or he could play out the contract that he signed, or find a way to negotiate a new deal that doesn’t involve running to social media. PS I’m high right now.

[TheBeaneBandit]

2 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

It's odd to me that so many on here are talking about Davis potentially becoming Cook's replacement, when they are clearly such different players. Cook has far better acceleration, and speed, while still being able to bounce off a defender, and stay on his feet. Davis does have reliable hands, but his speed in the secondary would take a lot of plays off the table, IMO. He's a great #2, RB, with the kind of down-hill, bruising running style the Bills need, but I have a hard time envisioning him as a feature back.

 

But here's the thing, if the Bills already have a replacement for Cook in mind, it's got to be the newly re-signed Ty Johnson, IMO. Cook made some great plays in the red zone last season, but so did Ty. Ty Johnson has consistently made absolutely eye-popping catches, and has shown incredible clutch efficiency, situational awareness, and proprioception, and he may even be a hair faster than Cook. He's put up highlight reel plays enough times to know it's not a fluke. He has the ability to help keep a play alive when it breaks down (an important skill for the Bills' offense).  And perhaps equally important, he has trust, and chemistry with Josh Allen-- you can't overstate the importance of that.

 

If tomorrow Brandon Beane said that they were moving on from James Cook, I'b be disappointed, but I wouldn't be worried about "who would replace his production," as another poster wondered. And, if in the next breath, Beane said that Ty Johnson would be the #1 for '25, my first thoughts would be, "... I can't wait to see that!"

I mostly agree. I fully agree if someone gave up a 2nd round draft pick for Cook as we would really be armed for the draft.

[Rocky Landing]

5 hours ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

I mostly agree. I fully agree if someone gave up a 2nd round draft pick for Cook as we would really be armed for the draft.

I certainly wouldn't imagine they would just cut him. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

8 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

It's odd to me that so many on here are talking about Davis potentially becoming Cook's replacement, when they are clearly such different players. Cook has far better acceleration, and speed, while still being able to bounce off a defender, and stay on his feet. Davis does have reliable hands, but his speed in the secondary would take a lot of plays off the table, IMO. He's a great #2, RB, with the kind of down-hill, bruising running style the Bills need, but I have a hard time envisioning him as a feature back.

 

But here's the thing, if the Bills already have a replacement for Cook in mind, it's got to be the newly re-signed Ty Johnson, IMO. Cook made some great plays in the red zone last season, but so did Ty. Ty Johnson has consistently made absolutely eye-popping catches, and has shown incredible clutch efficiency, situational awareness, and proprioception, and he may even be a hair faster than Cook. He's put up highlight reel plays enough times to know it's not a fluke. He has the ability to help keep a play alive when it breaks down (an important skill for the Bills' offense).  And perhaps equally important, he has trust, and chemistry with Josh Allen-- you can't overstate the importance of that.

 

If tomorrow Brandon Beane said that they were moving on from James Cook, I'b be disappointed, but I wouldn't be worried about "who would replace his production," as another poster wondered. And, if in the next breath, Beane said that Ty Johnson would be the #1 for '25, my first thoughts would be, "... I can't wait to see that!"

There are also a lot of backs coming out in this draft that can end up starting.

6 hours ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

I mostly agree. I fully agree if someone gave up a 2nd round draft pick for Cook as we would really be armed for the draft.

I still call up Jerruh, and offer Cook and #30 for #12.

[SoMAn]

Cook played an important role in 2024, making some great plays. But the reality is that the market for running backs just isn't what is was before rule changes and mobile QBs changed way most offenses operate. Some teams don't even have a roster spot for a fullback any more.

 

Would hate to lose Cook, but finding an adequate, or maybe equal RB wouldn't be as difficult as replacing a top edge rusher or CB. RBs typically have a shorter shelf life. He could have 5 more years of similar production before he starts to wear down. He's under contract this year.

 

Meanwhile, the Bills still have Davis and Gore Jr., both of whom have shown a lot of promise, and may be able to take on the role of feature back if Cook leaves for greener ($$) pastures.

 

Bottom line, don't break the bank for a running back when there are greater needs, particularly on defense.

[BuffaloBillyG]

I personally don't see them re-signing Cook at all unless he chooses to come back at a very team friendly deal. And I don't see that happening. 

 

I don't think Beane ever intended to sign Cook to a second contract. It's been Beane's MO to not sign RBs, but instead keep the pipeline stocked and cycle through. Sign a vet like Gore or Murray when need be to fill out the room. 

 

We saw that with Singletary who was on the roster when they selected Moss. When Moss (and then Hines) didn't work out we kept it stocked with Cook. Took Davis last year I firmly believe was taken to replace Cook. 

 

And here's the important part. If/when Cook hits FA, he's going to get paid. Big. Someone will shell out a lot of money seeing his production as a 50% of the time player and convince themselves that if he plays 90% of the snaps they have Barkley 2.0. which means a chance at a nice high 3rd or 4th round comp pick. So out of Cook we would have gotten 4 years production on a rookie contract and a high day 3 comp pick out of a second round pick. Draft another RB to play behind Davis, wash rinse repeat. 

[GreenMtnBillsFan]

12 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

I personally don't see them re-signing Cook at all unless he chooses to come back at a very team friendly deal. And I don't see that happening. 

 

I don't think Beane ever intended to sign Cook to a second contract. It's been Beane's MO to not sign RBs, but instead keep the pipeline stocked and cycle through. Sign a vet like Gore or Murray when need be to fill out the room. 

 

We saw that with Singletary who was on the roster when they selected Moss. When Moss (and then Hines) didn't work out we kept it stocked with Cook. Took Davis last year I firmly believe was taken to replace Cook. 

 

And here's the important part. If/when Cook hits FA, he's going to get paid. Big. Someone will shell out a lot of money seeing his production as a 50% of the time player and convince themselves that if he plays 90% of the snaps they have Barkley 2.0. which means a chance at a nice high 3rd or 4th round comp pick. So out of Cook we would have gotten 4 years production on a rookie contract and a high day 3 comp pick out of a second round pick. Draft another RB to play behind Davis, wash rinse repeat. 

Agreed, Cook has a great skill set and is a great player for us, but running a competitive football team means making concessions. RB's do deserve to be paid as they've been screwed over for years, but I just don't think Cook sees eye to eye with Bean on this and unfortunately we can't pay everybody. Torrence and McGovern are both OL pieces the team has to decide upon soon (and Torrence is gonna be $$$), and we still have Benford in extension conversation as well. There's a lot of good players that are extension eligible in the next 1-2 year still, and much like Tremaine, I think someone is going to end up walking for big money and that just is what it is. 

Edited yesterday at 01:40 PM by GreenMtnBillsFan

[Don Otreply]

I suspect one of a couple of things is why there is what appears to be an impass,  1) behind the scenes Cooks agent told Beane what was wanted and Beane said some version of no, 2) Cook feeling wronged went public, 3) Beane has no intention of extending him till some time this up coming season if at all, 3)  Cooks going public antics don’t have any effect on Beanes method of handling the situation, To Beane it’s just a business decision after weighing in all the ramifications, it does not keep him up at night, lol, jmo. 

Edited yesterday at 01:49 PM by Don Otreply