Bills halt contract negotiations with Cook

[SoTier]

On 4/8/2025 at 6:43 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Why?

 

Reports are he's playing for us this season. No reports yet of any holdout. Even his brother, who is looked at as a negative influence, knew better than to hold out in 2020 even when he threatened to (which to date, James hasn't).

 

Without Cook, we don't beat the Ravens. Without Cook, we wouldn't have stayed alive in the Chiefs game. We don't know if a Rookie is going to give us that. We don't even know that we won't bring him back after this season. We invested a 2nd in him, we should at least get the full Rookie contract out of him.

 

Have him on the roster playing his hardest in the Playoffs trying to get paid. If someone pays him what he's asking, we'll get more in a compensatory pick than his worth this year and we'll have him on the Roster this year.

 

I know it's the time of the season where you get completely manic about trading players for more picks. But it doesn't make sense to give him up and another pick this offseason for a prospect to replace him. You'd have had us trading away Dion Dawkins a couple years ago. You'd have had us trading Spencer Brown last season. If the team listened to you, they'd be trading away anyone of value on a yearly basis over lottery tickets that you get enamored with at this point in the offseason.

 

And Cook and a 4th isn't getting you to where you need to go to grab Henderson anyways. Worry about re-signing him or replacing him next offseason. We have enough to do this year without creating more holes.

 

This is similar to what the Drought Era Bills used to do.  The only difference is that the Bills FO back then wasn't nearly as interested in winning football games as they were in maximizing profits, so they either let their best players walk in FA or they traded them away for next to nothing.  In both the Drought Era and the current desire of some fans to trade away players for draft picks, the result is having to use premium draft picks to fill self-created holes instead of spending premium draft picks on players who could improve the team.

 

Cook is only doing what players do, trying to get paid as much as he can.  That he uses social media to make his wishes known is also just what people his age do.

 

On 4/8/2025 at 7:23 PM, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Like $13M. Just re-sign him.

 

edited for accuracy

 

I would really prefer that the Bills re-sign Cook, too.  He is truly an explosive threat in the running game, and it's unlikely that the Bills can replace him as easily as some think.

 

Fans need to have some patience.   There's absolutely no reason to trade Cook at this time since there's no immediate deadline looming to get a new deal done.   They could make a deal next month or before the season starts or even before FA begins next March.  

Edited yesterday at 01:50 PM by SoTier

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, SoTier said:

I would really prefer that the Bills re-sign Cook, too.  He is truly and explosive threat in the running game, and it's unlikely that the Bills can replace him as easily as some think.

 

Fans need to have some patience.   There's absolutely no reason to trade Cook at this time since there's no immediate deadline looming to get a new deal done.   They could make a deal next month or before the season starts or even before FA begins next March.  

 

Yeah, everyone is locked in on Beane's statement that he's paused talks and has moved onto the draft, because these fans triggered by social media want to teach this young, punk, whipper-snapper a lesson! But they are ignoring the fact that Beane also said its totally possible they get a deal done during the season or before next offseason.

 

Maybe a deal gets done, maybe it doesnt. But Beane hasnt slammed the door on our 2nd best offensive weapon who he just spent a 2nd round pick on.

[Dillenger4]

1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Yeah, everyone is locked in on Beane's statement that he's paused talks and has moved onto the draft, because these fans triggered by social media want to teach this young, punk, whipper-snapper a lesson! But they are ignoring the fact that Beane also said its totally possible they get a deal done during the season or before next offseason.

 

Maybe a deal gets done, maybe it doesnt. But Beane hasnt slammed the door on our 2nd best offensive weapon who he just spent a 2nd round pick on.

Very true and well said. But, the Giants are rumored to want Cook for their second round pick, which is #34 I believe.

[Einstein's Dog]

44 minutes ago, SoTier said:

I would really prefer that the Bills re-sign Cook, too.  He is truly an explosive threat in the running game, and it's unlikely that the Bills can replace him as easily as some think.

 

Fans need to have some patience.   There's absolutely no reason to trade Cook at this time since there's no immediate deadline looming to get a new deal done.   They could make a deal next month or before the season starts or even before FA begins next March.  

The fans don't need to have any patience, it was Cook (and his team) that have gone down the social media path.  And there could be a reason to trade him at this time and that is if Cook intends to not play for the first 11 games.

 

Fans aren't making this call.  Beane needs to evaluate the situation and determine the odds of a "hold-in".  If Cook isn't going to play the first 11 games then moving Cook prior/during the draft is the preferred option.  If you're missing Cook for over half the season I would like to see a decent rookie brought in as the third RB.

[Gregg]

I really hope they can get this resolved and he signs with the Bills. He isn't on the level of Barkley or Henry but in his first 3 years in the league he has 2,638 yards rushing with 883 yards receiving and 27 total TD's. Last year alone he had 1,009 yards rushing and led the league with 16 rushing TD's. He is the 2nd best player on the Bills offense and a big reason why the offense has been successful.

[alg]

31 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

The fans don't need to have any patience, it was Cook (and his team) that have gone down the social media path.  And there could be a reason to trade him at this time and that is if Cook intends to not play for the first 11 games.

 

Fans aren't making this call.  Beane needs to evaluate the situation and determine the odds of a "hold-in".  If Cook isn't going to play the first 11 games then moving Cook prior/during the draft is the preferred option.  If you're missing Cook for over half the season I would like to see a decent rookie brought in as the third RB.

I think this is almost cast in stone. If Beane lets this go until  summer, he gives Cook all the leverage. He would have lost the chance to fortify the position in a strong RB draft, and the Bills WILL be screwed if Cook decides to hold out. We can argue the merits of paying him, but it is Beane who establishes the value, not us. If he does not pay Cook before the draft, he should trade him.

[Einstein's Dog]

30 minutes ago, Gregg said:

I really hope they can get this resolved and he signs with the Bills. He isn't on the level of Barkley or Henry but in his first 3 years in the league he has 2,638 yards rushing with 883 yards receiving and 27 total TD's. Last year alone he had 1,009 yards rushing and led the league with 16 rushing TD's. He is the 2nd best player on the Bills offense and a big reason why the offense has been successful.

You say Cook is not on the same level as D Henry.  D Henry makes $8M/yr.  What Cook did is like a poster going on LinkedIn and posting they want twice the going rate for their salary.  What do you think his team expected by doing that?

 

11 minutes ago, alg said:

I think this is almost cast in stone. If Beane lets this go until  summer, he gives Cook all the leverage. He would have lost the chance to fortify the position in a strong RB draft, and the Bills WILL be screwed if Cook decides to hold out. We can argue the merits of paying him, but it is Beane who establishes the value, not us. If he does not pay Cook before the draft, he should trade him.

It's a shame to lose Cook early when if he played it would be at the bargain of $5M for the season for this exciting player.  But Beane has a problem waiting, and giving Cook a raise without an extension would set a bad precedent.  I can see Beane investigating all possibilities on how to move Cook.

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Einstein's Dog said:

You say Cook is not on the same level as D Henry.  D Henry makes $8M/yr.  What Cook did is like a poster going on LinkedIn and posting they want twice the going rate for their salary.  What do you think his team expected by doing that?

 

It's a shame to lose Cook early when if he played it would be at the bargain of $5M for the season for this exciting player.  But Beane has a problem waiting, and giving Cook a raise without an extension would set a bad precedent.  I can see Beane investigating all possibilities on how to move Cook.

 

Henry only makes $8M/yr. I would have guessed he was making a lot more than that. I don't know what a fair price is for Cook. Hopefully Beane can figure that out because losing Cook would be a blow to the offense.

[Magox]

At this stage I would think any deal that could be done would be after the draft.   If the Bills pick a RB somewhere in the first 4 rounds then I think that wouldn't bode well for Cook in getting a deal done this year.

[FireChans]

On 4/8/2025 at 5:43 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Why?

 

Reports are he's playing for us this season. No reports yet of any holdout. Even his brother, who is looked at as a negative influence, knew better than to hold out in 2020 even when he threatened to (which to date, James hasn't).

 

Without Cook, we don't beat the Ravens. Without Cook, we wouldn't have stayed alive in the Chiefs game. We don't know if a Rookie is going to give us that. We don't even know that we won't bring him back after this season. We invested a 2nd in him, we should at least get the full Rookie contract out of him.

 

Have him on the roster playing his hardest in the Playoffs trying to get paid. If someone pays him what he's asking, we'll get more in a compensatory pick than his worth this year and we'll have him on the Roster this year.

 

I know it's the time of the season where you get completely manic about trading players for more picks. But it doesn't make sense to give him up and another pick this offseason for a prospect to replace him. You'd have had us trading away Dion Dawkins a couple years ago. You'd have had us trading Spencer Brown last season. If the team listened to you, they'd be trading away anyone of value on a yearly basis over lottery tickets that you get enamored with at this point in the offseason.

 

And Cook and a 4th isn't getting you to where you need to go to grab Henderson anyways. Worry about re-signing him or replacing him next offseason. We have enough to do this year without creating more holes.

You know Dalvin didn’t hold out because he got paid, right?

[Don Otreply]

2 hours ago, SoTier said:

 

This is similar to what the Drought Era Bills used to do.  The only difference is that the Bills FO back then wasn't nearly as interested in winning football games as they were in maximizing profits, so they either let their best players walk in FA or they traded them away for next to nothing.  In both the Drought Era and the current desire of some fans to trade away players for draft picks, the result is having to use premium draft picks to fill self-created holes instead of spending premium draft picks on players who could improve the team.

 

Cook is only doing what players do, trying to get paid as much as he can.  That he uses social media to make his wishes known is also just what people his age do.

 

 

I would really prefer that the Bills re-sign Cook, too.  He is truly an explosive threat in the running game, and it's unlikely that the Bills can replace him as easily as some think.

 

Fans need to have some patience.   There's absolutely no reason to trade Cook at this time since there's no immediate deadline looming to get a new deal done.   They could make a deal next month or before the season starts or even before FA begins next March.  

“What people his age do” 

 

There in lies the problem with Cook getting himself extended…, the kid evidently can’t read the room he is in, 

[Alphadawg7]

2 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Very true and well said. But, the Giants are rumored to want Cook for their second round pick, which is #34 I believe.

 

If the Giants were offering pick 34 for Cook, he would already be a Giant as Beane would fly him to NY himself for that.  

 

So I cant see that rumor as having any substance to it.  

[Einstein's Dog]

4 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

Henry only makes $8M/yr. I would have guessed he was making a lot more than that. I don't know what a fair price is for Cook. Hopefully Beane can figure that out because losing Cook would be a blow to the offense.

I think Beane had a fair price offer to Cook that was flat out rejected - and was the impetus behind the $15M outburst.  

 

Yes, it would be a blow to the 2025 offense but it looks like people need to be aware of the possibility and realize what Beane is up against.  There is a realistic way to look at the Cook social media crusade as right out of the Diggs textbook on how to get out of town.

17 minutes ago, Magox said:

At this stage I would think any deal that could be done would be after the draft.   If the Bills pick a RB somewhere in the first 4 rounds then I think that wouldn't bode well for Cook in getting a deal done this year.

Why after the draft?  I would hope if the decision has been made then moving Cook during the draft for improvements could be done.

[Brand J]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

 

Henry only makes $8M/yr. I would have guessed he was making a lot more than that. I don't know what a fair price is for Cook. Hopefully Beane can figure that out because losing Cook would be a blow to the offense.

Henry’s without question drastically underpaid and was the 2nd biggest offensive threat that teams had to worry about. Not Mark Andrews, not their diminutive first round receiver who got paid. If I was Henry’s camp I’d def seek a bigger contract, even if it’s incentive laced given his age. 

[BillsFanForever19]

3 hours ago, FireChans said:

You know Dalvin didn’t hold out because he got paid, right?

 

Not in 2020. Threatened to hold out, showed up to camp without a new deal...

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dalvin-cook-will-hold-out-without-a-new-contract

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-rb-dalvin-cook-minnesota-is-where-i-want-to-be-at

Edited yesterday at 07:02 PM by BillsFanForever19

[BillsFanForever19]

5 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Very true and well said. But, the Giants are rumored to want Cook for their second round pick, which is #34 I believe.

 

Where do you see this? If it's a "rumor" surely it's been said by no one of merit.

 

DK Metcalf went for #52. In no world is James Cook worth #34. He's no higher than a Late 3rd value at most and more likely a 4th.

 

RB's don't get traded for that these days. Especially RB's in the last year of their deal, angling for a top dollar contract, in the year of a very good RB Draft class.

[Mr. WEO]

5 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Yeah, everyone is locked in on Beane's statement that he's paused talks and has moved onto the draft, because these fans triggered by social media want to teach this young, punk, whipper-snapper a lesson! But they are ignoring the fact that Beane also said its totally possible they get a deal done during the season or before next offseason.

 

Maybe a deal gets done, maybe it doesnt. But Beane hasnt slammed the door on our 2nd best offensive weapon who he just spent a 2nd round pick on.

If Beane drafts a day 2 RB that would be a another statement made…

[BillsFanForever19]

Just now, Mr. WEO said:

If Beane drafts a day 2 RB that would be a another statement made…

 

A Day 2 RB isn't going to happen unless they've traded Cook. Which, as of today, isn't going to happen. The latest report is that "Cook is going to play for the Buffalo Bills in 2025". Obviously if things change and you hear that he's going to holdout or that Buffalo has had it, that would be a different story.

 

But as of now - that's not the case. And we have a full RB room. We aren't going to carry more than three and Ray Davis and Ty Johnson aren't going anywhere. Even if they decided to carry 4 (which is unlikely), they aren't going to dress 4 on Game Day. Which would mean one of Cook, the Day 2 Draft Pick, Davis, or Johnson wouldn't be active.

[Mr. WEO]

20 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

A Day 2 RB isn't going to happen unless they've traded Cook. Which, as of today, isn't going to happen. The latest report is that "Cook is going to play for the Buffalo Bills in 2025". Obviously if things change and you hear that he's going to holdout or that Buffalo has had it, that would be a different story.

 

But as of now - that's not the case. And we have a full RB room. We aren't going to carry more than three and Ray Davis and Ty Johnson aren't going anywhere. Even if they decided to carry 4 (which is unlikely), they aren't going to dress 4 on Game Day. Which would mean one of Cook, the Day 2 Draft Pick, Davis, or Johnson wouldn't be active.

they could simply trade Davis and/or Johnson on day 2…

[MasterStrategist]

On 4/11/2025 at 11:45 AM, Einstein's Dog said:

You say Cook is not on the same level as D Henry.  D Henry makes $8M/yr.  What Cook did is like a poster going on LinkedIn and posting they want twice the going rate for their salary.  What do you think his team expected by doing that?

 

It's a shame to lose Cook early when if he played it would be at the bargain of $5M for the season for this exciting player.  But Beane has a problem waiting, and giving Cook a raise without an extension would set a bad precedent.  I can see Beane investigating all possibilities on how to move Cook.

Henry made $8m per year, on a 1 yr prove it contract.

 

That's like saying Saquon isn't worth his money, after he played on a 1 year proce it deal.

 

Henry signed for 2025?