Buffalo Bills: James Cook Signs Big-Money Extension

James Cook’s hold-in is officially over, and the Buffalo Bills have locked him up for the next four years. On Tuesday, Cook returned to practice, and by Wednesday, the running back had secured a major payday.

NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that Cook and the Bills agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed. The $12 million per year average is a significant increase over the $5.271 million he was set to make in the final year of his rookie deal. Cook is now tied for the sixth-highest-paid running back in the NFL.

Cook comes off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. In 2024, he led the Bills with 207 carries for 1,009 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, tied for the most in the NFL and matching a franchise record for Buffalo. His 4.9 yards per carry last season ranked sixth in the league among backs with at least 150 carries.

The hold-in started after Cook skipped voluntary offseason workouts and briefly paused practice citing “business” reasons. He dressed for the preseason opener against the Giants but did not play. Coach Sean McDermott said on Tuesday that “things changed” with Cook’s situation, and now it’s clear why.

While Cook’s extension is less than the $15 million per year he reportedly sought, $12 million per year feels like a fair compromise, especially given last year’s snap count in a committee approach. The Bills clearly value Cook’s ability to contribute in the passing and rushing game and want him on the field for their Super Bowl push.

With the deal wrapped up, Cook can focus on football, and the Bills can focus on getting their highly paid running back the touches needed to help the team reach the ultimate goal.