The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2025 NFL season as one of the league’s top Super Bowl contenders. After falling just short in last year’s AFC Championship Game, Josh Allen and the Bills are focused on making the final leap to the big stage. With a talented roster across the board, Buffalo has the pieces in place to chase a title. However, one looming issue could impact their future — the uncertain contract situation with star running back James Cook.
Cook is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and while both sides have engaged in extension talks, negotiations haven’t gained much traction. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Bills made an effort earlier this offseason to extend Cook, but the two parties never got close to an agreement. “They had talks earlier in the offseason and my sense is that the two sides were never very close to finding real common ground,” Breer reported. The lack of progress has fueled speculation that 2025 could be Cook’s last season in Buffalo.
The 25-year-old running back is coming off a stellar campaign in 2024, where he racked up 1,009 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 207 carries, along with 32 receptions for 258 yards and two more scores. Cook’s impact was undeniable, providing much-needed balance to the Bills’ offense and helping ease the burden on Allen. His production and youth make him one of the most intriguing offensive weapons heading into free agency if a deal isn’t reached.
While the Bills are likely to revisit extension talks, the current gap between the two sides may be too wide to bridge. If Cook hits the open market in 2026, he’ll have no shortage of suitors. For now, Buffalo’s best bet is to make the most of the season with Cook in the backfield and hope a resolution can be found before it’s too late. This contract saga will be one to closely watch as the 2025 season unfolds.