Bills halt contract negotiations with Cook

[Mat68]

I think Beane is reasonable.  Comes down to what Cook and his agent have to have.  Imo come TC Cook takes a deal like Benford and Rousseau.  In the 12-13 range.  Beane wont lock the door.  A knock and a little give they make it happen.  A top 10 back is worth paying at the moment.  It’s an under paid position.  Cook has been a better rb than Shakir has been a Wr and Rousseau has been a DE. 

[QLBillsFan]

2 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

No problem with him making money,but his demands are outrageous.  He is a 8-11 mill RB based on what he can do, but he wants 15 mill.  Let another team over pay him.

One thought if I’m advising Cook. And oh I’m not 😆.. to the above thought of the value of $1M now in the future. What is the value of playing with a perennial SB contender? With a top 5 QB and very good OL? A really nice 3year deal that averages $11M a season with significant guaranteed $$$. It replaces his $5M this year by $6M. Allowing his high end contributions with 50% of the snaps for career longevity? His brother was more in the 70% range and it shortened his career. Multiple examples of guys who held out for big $$$ left great situations and were out of those contracts after 1-2 years. Let’s say he goes to a  another team like Dallas. Is he better off in 2 years? Not sure 🤷🏻‍♂️Careful what you wish for. 

[C.Biscuit97]

It’s so weird how many Bills fans are against Cook. This is the most leverage he will ever have at a position with the shortest lifespan. If he was in your family, you’d want him to do the same thing. 
 

He has completely outperformed his draft value, was our 2nd best player last year, and arguably the best player in the championship game. He gets hurt next year or doesn’t get the touches (love the Bills but nfl teams will certainly do something like that) and his value gets lowered before he gets a new deal, he’s screwed. 
 

obviously he’s not getting $15 million but this is definitely the time for him to try to get a new contract. 

5 minutes ago, QLBillsFan said:

One thought if I’m advising Cook. And oh I’m not 😆.. to the above thought of the value of $1M now in the future. What is the value of playing with a perennial SB contender? With a top 5 QB and very good OL? A really nice 3year deal that averages $11M a season with significant guaranteed $$$. It replaces his $5M this year by $6M. Allowing his high end contributions with 50% of the snaps for career longevity? His brother was more in the 70% range and it shortened his career. Multiple examples of guys who held out for big $$$ left great situations and were out of those contracts after 1-2 years. Let’s say he goes to a  another team like Dallas. Is he better off in 2 years? Not sure 🤷🏻‍♂️Careful what you wish for. 

Cook would put up good numbers in Dallas with a healthy Dak and their WRs. 
 

he’s averaged 4.9 ypc for his career, which is outstanding. 

[C.Biscuit97]

3 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

lol, accomplishments dont pay rent, nor do they feed grandkids. As a RB, Cook has ONE opportunity at securing generational wealth. Anyone with a bit of investment knowledge knows an extra $1M today means $10M 20-30 years from now.

 

It's an absolutely ludicrous standard that jealous fans hold players to. For almost every one of the players in the NFL, it's a job.

 

How often did you take well below market rate to architect a building just for the sake of "accomplishment"?

 

edit to add:

 

James' older brother Dalvin's career is over. Feels like he's been around forever. He had a pretty decent career and was a good player in his day. But now he's done.... He's ONLY 29 YEARS OLD. For most of us old men on this board, we consider that having his entire life ahead of him still. But he's done making money.

 

It's a tiny window to make as much money as possible.

 

Great posts. Obviously, Dalvin is being loud about it but he saw it first hand. Keeper dynasty leagues I have had both Cooks. 
 

Dalvin Cook had 1500 total yards, 10 tds, including an 81 yd td run in front of me that flipped the Bills game, at age 27 and he was basically done after that season. 
 

so yeah if I’m Cook, I’m going do what it takes to get a contract extension rather than “trust” a team to pay me. 

[Rigotz]

On 3/31/2025 at 5:12 PM, balln said:

But can we sign OBJ ?!

Zach Ertz and Deandre Hopkins or we RIOT!

[QLBillsFan]

23 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

It’s so weird how many Bills fans are against Cook. This is the most leverage he will ever have at a position with the shortest lifespan. If he was in your family, you’d want him to do the same thing. 
 

He has completely outperformed his draft value, was our 2nd best player last year, and arguably the best player in the championship game. He gets hurt next year or doesn’t get the touches (love the Bills but nfl teams will certainly do something like that) and his value gets lowered before he gets a new deal, he’s screwed. 
 

obviously he’s not getting $15 million but this is definitely the time for him to try to get a new contract. 

Cook would put up good numbers in Dallas with a healthy Dak and their WRs. 
 

he’s averaged 4.9 ypc for his career, which is outstanding. 

Again he’s at 4.9 with 50% of the snaps. The Dallas OL is not remotely what it used to be. Not close to the Biils current OL . Do you consider them a contender ? They will be fortunate to win 9 games.

Edited yesterday at 12:34 AM by QLBillsFan

[SydneyBillsFan]

On 4/1/2025 at 8:49 AM, Mikie2times said:

James Cook’s Future Hanging by a Thread as GM Puts Down the Iron Fist

 

  

 

Newspaper headlines are usually much shorter and where possible, a pun is inserted for extra effect - eg:

 

COOKED!

[QLBillsFan]

I think Cook is an outstanding RB. I want the Bills to sign him. But he doesn’t play 3 downs, some of which actually helps his production and longevity. But he’s not worth $15M. Nothing weird about it, just my opinion. 

[C.Biscuit97]

2 minutes ago, QLBillsFan said:

Again he’s at 4.9 with 50% of the snaps. The Dallas OL is not remotely what it used to be. Not close to the Biils current OL . Do you consider them a contender ? They will be fortunate to win 9 games.

Who knows? Rico Dowdle averaged 4.6 ypc and Cook is a better player than him. 
 

also, Davis averaged a full ypc less on almost 100 less Carries.  Backups RBs tend to good ypc because they are counter punchers after the starter comes out. 
 

this board just seems really tough on Cook. A lot of fans were trying to replace him last year. And for as good as Allen and the o line is, we have slow WRs who don’t scare defenses. Cook is a very good rb. He helps the Bills as much as we help him. 

1 minute ago, QLBillsFan said:

I think Cook is an outstanding RB. I want the Bills to sign him. But he doesn’t play 3 downs, some of which actually helps his production and longevity. But he’s not worth $15M. Nothing weird about it, just my opinion. 

The 3rd down thing is valid but is that also a game plan thing as well? Cook definitely looked fresher last year than previous years. He was an absolute monster in the title game. He also has had almost 500 yards receiving in a season so it’s not like he’s not capable. 
 

every time any rb got the ball besides Cook last year, it was a downgrade and we have solid backups. Cook is just way more explosive. 

[QLBillsFan]

5 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Who knows? Rico Dowdle averaged 4.6 ypc and Cook is a better player than him. 
 

also, Davis averaged a full ypc less on almost 100 less Carries.  Backups RBs tend to good ypc because they are counter punchers after the starter comes out. 
 

this board just seems really tough on Cook. A lot of fans were trying to replace him last year. And for as good as Allen and the o line is, we have slow WRs who don’t scare defenses. Cook is a very good rb. He helps the Bills as much as we help him. 

Good points. Davis has more short yardage situations and that drops his average. In no way do I think Davis is as good as Cook. I hope the Bills sign him. 

Edited yesterday at 12:46 AM by QLBillsFan

[C.Biscuit97]

1 minute ago, QLBillsFan said:

Good points. Davis has more short yardage situations and that drops his average. In no way do I think Davis is as good as Cook. I hope the Bills sign him. 

I like Davis (friend lives near him says he couldn’t be a nicer guy). But he’s barely younger than Cook and I worry he lacks the explosive.

 

also given Cook’s td numbers, he got a lot of short yardage work as well. 
 

It’s a tough situation for both the Bills and Cook.  He was an absolute stud for us and plays the position with the shortest lifespan in the nfl. He needs to get paid sooner than later. I also get where the Bills are coming from as well. I really hope they can find a compromise because Cook gets better every season.

[SoCal Deek]

I’m not sure how this discussion got to where it is. Cook was SIXTEENTH in the league last year in rushing and averaged just a little over 60 yards per game. What is that level of production (or lack there of) worth in 2025? I’m guessing it isn’t worth anywhere near what James Cook apparently thinks it is. 

[Thrivefourfive]

9 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

I’m not sure how this discussion got to where it is. Cook was SIXTEENTH in the league last year in rushing and averaged just a little over 60 yards per game. What is that level of production (or lack there of) worth in 2025? I’m guessing it isn’t worth anywhere near what James Cook apparently thinks it is. 

People startin’ to realize Cook can’t be missed. We need that man. That, and people startin’ to realize it ain’t OUR money!—alls we want is the winner. And +Cook is a step in that direction; and -Cook is a step away from that goal—Anyway you cut it. No, he’s not getting $15m, but Beane will sign him. I’d guarantee it. 

[Bruffalo]

He's the best RB we've had since McCoy, but he was also the highest investment in terms of draft capital. 

 

He's very good, but unless he can be a 3-down back with good to great pass blocking, I don't see how you can pay him 15 mil a season when the Bills are up against the cap year over year to stay in that Superbowl window.

 

Nothing against Cook though, go get your bag. If somebody else is willing to pay 15 after this season, more power to you.  I don't think it's unreasonable to think the Bills could replace Cook's snaps with someone cheaper and get similar results.

Edited yesterday at 02:03 AM by Bruffalo

[DaVinci]

1 hour ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

this board just seems really tough on Cook. A lot of fans were trying to replace him last year. And for as good as Allen and the o line is, we have slow WRs who don’t scare defenses. Cook is a very good rb. He helps the Bills as much as we help him.

Cook is a good back but it seems all the players are rowing in the same direction except Cook.

[Steve Billieve]

2 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

 

It’s so weird how many Bills fans are against Cook. This is the most leverage he will ever have at a position with the shortest lifespan. If he was in your family, you’d want him to do the same thing. 

 

He doesn’t have any leverage though. He’s making noise not in a contract year while he’s in a very good rb room on a very good team, with an amazing oline, playing a position you can cheaply replace.

 

He has a good thing going, he plays in rotation, we’ve been keeping him fresh.

 

We’re the ones with leverage. We can run him into the ground for three years with a couple tags for less than he wants.

 

 

[Thrivefourfive]

I’ll give two alternatives to signing that man straight away. Draft an RB in a later round. Hell, spend a couple picks late, and see if something sparks in TC. Then deal Cook. 
 

Beane is not doing contract talks until after he squeezes Cook tighter with two “maybe” RBs in the draft. For the rookies personally, what an opportunity… but you have to get over that you were drafted partly to upset Cook’s negotiations. Hope Cook sees that coming. 
 

Or, sign or trade for a vet. A couple

RBs fit this bill each off season. Things happen with good players and they become available. 
 

I think Cook shouldn’t have taken to the airwaves. In this spot, bad form. Unless all he cares about is this contract, and not his situation. 
 

Or maybe he just wants out of the City of Buffalo. That’s a very real possibility. 
 

Edited yesterday at 03:04 AM by Thrivefourfive

[nuklz2594]

cookie listened to his brother chirping in his ear and stepped on his D!@#

[Ga boy]

11 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I like Davis (friend lives near him says he couldn’t be a nicer guy). But he’s barely younger than Cook and I worry he lacks the explosive.

 

also given Cook’s td numbers, he got a lot of short yardage work as well. 
 

It’s a tough situation for both the Bills and Cook.  He was an absolute stud for us and plays the position with the shortest lifespan in the nfl. He needs to get paid sooner than later. I also get where the Bills are coming from as well. I really hope they can find a compromise because Cook gets better every season.

Cook is the best RB we’ve got, or will get.  There were a dozen plays this year that no one else makes.  Cmon, give him 12 million.  I predict it gets done before TC.  Our chances of winning the SB are better with him.  Also, he knows this is his best chance of holding the Lombardi.  12 million is the number.  

[JP51]

On 3/31/2025 at 5:12 PM, balln said:

But can we sign OBJ ?!

No but I hear Zach Ertz is available....