

Two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook did not join the rest of his teammates when the Buffalo Bills gathered for their first voluntary workouts, general manager Brandon Beane confirmed in a news conference Tuesday.
Cook, in the final year of his rookie contract, is seeking a contract extension. But Beane stated three weeks ago at the NFL owners’ meetings that the sides are significantly far apart and that an extension wasn’t likely before the upcoming season.
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“I just try to focus on what I can control and making sure that the guys that are here are getting the work done,” quarterback Josh Allen said of Cook’s absence. “I know that James is working out and getting the work done there, too. I’m hoping that gets figured out, but it’ll get figured out when it gets figured out. We understand the business side of it.”
The Bills’ workouts are not open to the media.
Buffalo has largely avoided offseason turbulence under Beane and coach Sean McDermott, making Cook’s absence a notable development. The 2024 Bills thrived with their drama-free, team-first, “everybody eats” mentality in which anybody could be the star any given week. An accountable culture and joyous vibes emerged.
Shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles gave running back Saquon Barkley a two-year, $42.1 million extension in March, Cook posted “15 mill a year” on social media and confirmed in subsequent posts that’s what he felt he deserved.
Cook entered last year with just four rushing touchdowns through his first two seasons, but exploded for 16 by the end, tying Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for the NFL lead.
During the regular season, Cook ran 207 times for 1,009 yards and caught 32 passes for 258 yards and two receiving TDs. In three playoff games, he rushed 53 times for 272 yards and three TDs, adding six receptions for 64 yards.
This offseason, the Bills extended several core players they’ve drafted, including co-captains Allen and linebacker Terrel Bernard, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Gregory Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford. Buffalo drafted Cook in the second round of the 2022 draft.
“It means a lot,” Allen said of the Bills re-signing their own. “Homegrown talent, and of all those guys you mentioned, they’re here in the building right now, still trying to get better and working with the team. It speaks a lot about the volume of the character of those guys and the type of guys we’re bringing in this locker room, and it’s a credit to the guys upstairs.”
(Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
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