NFL

Bills sign RB James Cook to four-year, $48 million contract extension

The situation between the Bills and Cook this summer had been sloppy, with the running back vacillating between practicing and holding in. Cook’s actions were becoming a distraction, but as always, money fixes everything.

I’ve harped on franchises for not being proactive and inking key players to contract extensions early. The Bills have never needed that message. This offseason alone, Buffalo has signed Cook, Josh Allen, Greg Rousseau, Christian Benford, Khalil Shakir and Terrel Bernard to sizeable extensions. That, my friends, is how good teams stay good.

Cook will actually receive the smallest payout of those players, but that’s the state of the running back position. Compared to his cohorts, Cook is one of the best, as he tallied 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing last season. The Bills are a pass-first offense, so Cook producing big numbers on the ground is impressive. The 25-year-old is also an asset in the passing game.

Buffalo’s window will always be open throughout Josh Allen’s prime — that’s the luxury of having an All-Pro quarterback — but 2025 is as good a year as ever for the Bills to capture their first Lombardi Trophy. Having Cook in uniform — and happy — completes the team, fortifying Buffalo for another strong season.

Grade: B+