Bills GM Shares Encouraging Update About James Cook’s Status

The Buffalo Bills have a big situation to solve with James Cook.

The star running back wants to get paid, and he was nowhere to be found during voluntary workouts.

Nevertheless, GM Brandon Beane doesn’t seem to be too worried about this situation.

In a recent appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Beane stated that Cook would be there when it matters the most:

“I know we’ve had people in the building that [James Cook]’s been talking with, and I have no doubt when it’s time to play football, he’ll be ready to roll,” Beane told Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio.

"I have no doubt when it's time to play football, he'll be ready to roll." #Bills GM Brandon Beane updates @AdamSchein with the latest on James Cook.

🔗 https://t.co/jP0HFpEWEm pic.twitter.com/NciRwY9weE

— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) May 7, 2025

Cook has made it loud and clear that he wants to get a contract extension before taking the field in the final year of his contract.

Initial talks haven’t been encouraging, per multiple reports.

He’s reportedly looking to get $15 million a year and a long-term contract extension.

The Bills recently extended the likes of Christian Benford, Gregory Rousseau, Khalil Shakir, and Terrel Bernard, but the Bills claimed that they wouldn’t extend Cook until after the 2025 NFL Draft.

Now, with mandatory minicamp inching closer, time is of the essence.

Still, it’s not unusual to see proven players skip voluntary workouts, so perhaps people shouldn’t read too much into this, even if Cook is trying to send a message.

The Bills have a history of letting their running backs leave, and Cook will be a free agent after this season.

But given the way he’s performed over the past couple of seasons and how crucial he was in Josh Allen‘s MVP season, they will be wise to keep him around for the long run, even if that means paying a little more than they would’ve wanted to.