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The Buffalo Bills have been dealing with a bit of drama this offseason.
James Cook has been absent from the team’s voluntary offseason program as he seeks a new contract. But with mandatory minicamp right around the corner, the question remains if he will attend.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided some insight into the situation.
“You’ve got a guy who’s unhappy with his contractual situation… (He) has basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city,” Schefter said on the latest episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast, also mentioning that Cook put his house up for sale in Buffalo.
“I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon. Again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don’t have a deal done there or by then, does James Cook show up for training camp? Does he risk the penalties that come along in the collective bargaining agreement if he doesn’t show up?”
Cook is in the final year of his rookie contract and has made it known that he is looking for $15 million per year. However, the Bills are not on the same page.
“I don’t believe that these two sides are anywhere close to a deal at this point in time,” Schefter explained. “And as we enter a critical season for the Buffalo Bills, James Cook is one of the more important players there. With a deal not on the horizon, that looms as a little storm cloud over the promising season that’s ahead for the Buffalo Bills
“I don’t think the two sides are close now, and I think this is going to take some time to figure out,” he added.
