Buffalo Rumblings
Plus, examining the state of Buffalo’s wide receivers, led by Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.
So far this offseason, there has been at least one change involving Pro Bowl running back James Cook, who, during the Buffalo Bills’ mandatory minicamp debuted a new nameplate on the back of his jersey that reads “Cook III.”
Cook stated he had wanted to make the change for some time but wasn’t able to finalize his new nameplate until the necessary documents had been filed with the league offices.
But that change pales in comparison to what Cook truly wants to see this year: a new, lucrative contract extension from a Bills team that benefitted from Cook’s league-leading and franchise record-tying 16 rushing touchdowns last year.
Cook believes he deserves to be paid on par with the top backs in the NFL, but as the Bills prepare for the start of training camp, the two sides have not yet come to an agreement on a new contract extension.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining where things stand between the Bills and their talented running back.
Besides a huge uptick in scoring, last year, Cook’s 3.1 yards before contact per rush were the fifth most among all running backs, and Cook’s 2,638 career rushing yards are the most of any running back selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The talented running back has made it publicly known he’s seeking a new deal worth at least $15 million per season, which would place him below Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey and on the same level as Derrick Henry among the highest-paid running backs. But without a new deal, Cook could report to training camp but do a hold-in and not practice.
Cook was a full participant at the three-day mandatory minicamp, stating “I mean, why not? I’m here, I’m part of the team. I’m a leader, so I just got to practice and get a jump,” when asked about his participation at mandatory minicamp after expressing his desire for a reworked contract.
Previewing the state of the Bills’ wide receivers; learn how Buffalo Joe Andreessen is vying for an expanded role in his...
