Is Cook worth it?

[FireChans]

23 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

I wasn’t referring to receiving but McCaffrey was used more in the pass game on the crappy last place Panthers. They had minimal offensive talent. The down side is that in years 4 and 5 he was either hurt or unproductive. His numbers reflect how injury prone he is. Bills competed for Championships with great receivers in Cooks career. McCaffrey is 28 coming off another injury riddled year. Do you think he’s worth 19 million and Cook at 25 isn’t worth a second contract for 13 or 14.

Kind of a confusing take.

 

McCaffrey’s value in the pass game was a large reason he got big money when he was young. So why would you ignore such a discrepancy when arguing Cook deserves similar money? 
 

Obviously I wouldn’t pay McCaffrey $18M NOW. He’s old and been hurt and running backs usually don’t get out of that as they get older. I’m not even sure he’s the same player anymore.

 

None of that is a reason to pay Cook.

 

I think Cook is a good player. I think he’s probably the best skill position player on offense relative to his position tbh (non-QB obviously). 
 

But the thing about “I don’t like paying running backs” is as a rule, it only works if it is a rule. 
 

When we are too “cap strapped” to afford paying a DK Metcalf type player, the answer is not to pay the worst position to pay market value. 
 

you bring up McCaffrey, who we all agree now was far more productive than Cook. The Panthers drafted him top 10 and paid him high-end RB money and basically wasted what was left of Cam Newton’s career.  And he’s supposed to be the “exception” to the don’t pay RBs rule.
 

I just think it’s bad business. There are better ways to use the money. Now, the corrollary to that is that if the Bills use Cook’s money to sign another 4 backup DL guys to get popped for PEDs, I’ll argue they should have kept Cook lol.

Edited April 16 by FireChans

[clearwater cadet]

Yes, much better with him on the field, shocking he was on the bench for the last drive of the Chief game.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Just now, clearwater cadet said:

Yes, much better with him on the field, shocking he was on the bench for the last drive of the Chief game.

 

Thats kinda the problem though.  He's not a good enough blocker - so you're paying for a 2 down running back.  

[HamptonBillsfan]

54 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Kind of a confusing take.

 

McCaffrey’s value in the pass game was a large reason he got big money when he was young. So why would you ignore such a discrepancy when arguing Cook deserves similar money? 
 

Obviously I wouldn’t pay McCaffrey $18M NOW. He’s old and been hurt and running backs usually don’t get out of that as they get older. I’m not even sure he’s the same player anymore.

 

None of that is a reason to pay Cook.

 

I think Cook is a good player. I think he’s probably the best skill position player on offense relative to his position tbh (non-QB obviously). 
 

But the thing about “I don’t like paying running backs” is as a rule, it only works if it is a rule. 
 

When we are too “cap strapped” to afford paying a DK Metcalf type player, the answer is not to pay the worst position to pay market value. 
 

you bring up McCaffrey, who we all agree now was far more productive than Cook. The Panthers drafted him top 10 and paid him high-end RB money and basically wasted what was left of Cam Newton’s career.  And he’s supposed to be the “exception” to the don’t pay RBs rule.
 

I just think it’s bad business. There are better ways to use the money. Now, the corrollary to that is that if the Bills use Cook’s money to sign another 4 backup DL guys to get popped for PEDs, I’ll argue they should have kept Cook lol.

As a rule it’s ill conceived because it should be case specific. After overpaying for Rousseau,Bosa, and adding a lower tier wideout, the 2nd best weapon for Josh in his MVP year is stiffed. Beane, right now can resign Cook for 40 to 42 for 3 years with 30 guaranteed. He’s the best back in the AFC. If Cook has a better year and we go to the SB, some team will pay him Barkley money thinking he puts them over the top.

[Gigs]

Here's my take:

Yes and No. 

 

When is the last time we had a guy like Cook, scoring that many TDs?

 

Also, he cannot block, he has a hard time catching JA passes which is what they primarily drafted him for....

 

But he can *****in move better than most. Now how much of that is the OLine? Is it a coincidence that the 3 times the Bills have had memorable OLines, they were blocking for OJ, Thurminator and now Cpt Cook? Did the back make the line? Did the line make the back? Does this make Cook a HoF level player? Is he a HoF talent like Saquon?

 

Now imagine being Beane. 

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

Beane, right now can resign Cook for 40 to 42 for 3 years with 30 guaranteed.

Not sure that's the case.

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

5 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Not sure that's the case.

 

Agreed. I think Beane would have offered this type of deal. My guess is Cook is locked in to 15 per

[HamptonBillsfan]

10 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Not sure that's the case.

People who don’t want to pay RBs sometimes diminish great players thinking they’re replaceable. Give me the back we’ve drafted since Thurman that is on Cook’s level. We draft late and don’t usually take RBs until late 2nd or 3rd. You must admit Cook would make a bunch of teams ( KC, Cinn, Houston) very dangerous.

[nosejob]

2 hours ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

As a rule it’s ill conceived because it should be case specific. After overpaying for Rousseau,Bosa, and adding a lower tier wideout, the 2nd best weapon for Josh in his MVP year is stiffed. Beane, right now can resign Cook for 40 to 42 for 3 years with 30 guaranteed. He’s the best back in the AFC. If Cook has a better year and we go to the SB, some team will pay him Barkley money thinking he puts them over the top.

I think they'll get a deal done by camp. I don't mind 10 mil x3.

37 minutes ago, Slippery Rubber Mats said:

 

Agreed. I think Beane would have offered this type of deal. My guess is Cook is locked in to 15 per

I would like to think they'd make him play out the year before topping 12.  I would.

[Returntoglory]

On 4/15/2025 at 11:13 AM, MikePJ76 said:

Behave?  What?

 

The guy has not done a damn thing wrong.

 

What on earth are you talking about.

Well.......Negotiating your contract via social media may be considered to be "wrong" by some folks. Like maybe Brandon Beane? 

[FireChans]

54 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

People who don’t want to pay RBs sometimes diminish great players thinking they’re replaceable. Give me the back we’ve drafted since Thurman that is on Cook’s level. We draft late and don’t usually take RBs until late 2nd or 3rd. You must admit Cook would make a bunch of teams ( KC, Cinn, Houston) very dangerous.

Cooks a very good back.

 

we have a great OL. 
 

I think if Cook could be had for $12M AAV he’d be signed by now, tbh. 
 

KC, Cinn and Houston wouldn’t pay him $15M either. He’d go to a bottom feeder if he chases the biggest bag.

[HamptonBillsfan]

7 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Cooks a very good back.

 

we have a great OL. 
 

I think if Cook could be had for $12M AAV he’d be signed by now, tbh. 
 

KC, Cinn and Houston wouldn’t pay him $15M either. He’d go to a bottom feeder if he chases the biggest bag.

I don’t think Beane prioritized Cook knowing he’s on his rookie deal. He was more concerned with Rousseau, our corner,Bernard and those D-linemen who won’t play until week 7.  If Cook wanted 15 million, we could have gotten him for 42 for 3yrs guaranteed. 

[Warriorspikes51]

 

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

I’m just not shot in the butt with any player who chooses to negotiate a contract via social media. I like him, but I don’t love him enough to back up a Brinks truck for him. 

[MikePJ76]

1 hour ago, Returntoglory said:

Well.......Negotiating your contract via social media may be considered to be "wrong" by some folks. Like maybe Brandon Beane? 

The social media stuff means nothing.  Zilch, not a thing.

 

Brandon Beane could care less what he says on social media concerning his contract.  All that matters is negotiations with his agent.

 

 

[FireChans]

34 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

I don’t think Beane prioritized Cook knowing he’s on his rookie deal. He was more concerned with Rousseau, our corner,Bernard and those D-linemen who won’t play until week 7.  If Cook wanted 15 million, we could have gotten him for 42 for 3yrs guaranteed. 

Rousseau, Bernard, Benford were all on rookie deals too. All under contract until 26.

[HamptonBillsfan]

3 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Rousseau, Bernard, Benford were all on rookie deals too. All under contract until 26.

I understand but his priorities are misplaced. Rousseau was invisible in the postseason, Benford got 2 rapid fire concussions, which should make him risky to resign. Bernard was necessary because Milano is gone after the season and Bernard calls signals and is really good. If you were being objective, Cook makes our offense special. He’s got to get a 2nd contract.

[ProcessTruster]

On 4/15/2025 at 11:22 AM, FireChans said:

Why would he get booed for playing

 

what is the headache

 

 

the headache is the holdout. 

 

He just might.   

 

These is a track record of 4th year top RBs holding out. 

 

 

[Returntoglory]

4 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

The social media stuff means nothing.  Zilch, not a thing.

 

Brandon Beane could care less what he says on social media concerning his contract.  All that matters is negotiations with his agent.

 

 

You keep believing that 😉

[Thurman#1]

On 4/16/2025 at 12:12 AM, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

 

 

Worth the headache for having him on the team this year without signing a new contract? There'll be virtually no headache. Hell yeah, he'll be worth it.

 

His saying this on social media is a big nothing. 

 

Worth actually signing him to a new contract for near what he's asking for? No, I don't think so.

 

But I don't think fan disapproval for an un-extended Cook will go beyond about (maybe) one tepid boo at camp on the first day. Probably not even that.