Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is proud of running back James Cook after his breakout season, even if it substantially increases his cap hit.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is among the force multipliers in today’s NFL capable of impacting multiple phases of the game at an elite level. Allen, of course, is an elite passer capable of making magic with his right arm and carrying Buffalo deep into the playoffs.
But he’s also incredible on the ground, the most physical runner at his position and a cheat code in the red zone. Thus, he cannot be divorced from the success of the rushing attack, one that proved to be one of the best in football. He ran for 531 yards and 12 scores on the way to the AFC Championship Game.
That same rushing attack is about to get Bills running back James Cook paid. Entering a contract year, Cook has set the bar high for his second contract. As a running back, it could very well be his one chance to truly lock in big-time money, and after the season he had, it’s hard to blame him for wanting to cash in.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook
© Denny Medley-Imagn Images
But just how willing is Buffalo to sign him?
After arriving at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Bills head coach Sean McDermott reacted to Cook’s extension talks, pivoting to how grateful he was to see the running back blossom into a star worthy of a lucrative new deal.
“When you’re a coach and you’re on the field with these players, and you’re in the meetings, and you’re watching them develop on the field, off the field,” McDermott said, via Alex Brasky. “He’s a great example of one of the joys that comes with coaching … To go on the field, this year in particular, and have the success that he experienced and how he helped our team, it’s just a great feeling as a coach to watch a young man do what he did.”
Cook was excellent in 2024. He cracked 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year and, in a year dominated by running backs, led the league in rushing touchdowns. Even with Allen rushing for double-digit scores, neither Saquon Barkley nor Derrick Henry topped 16 scores on the ground.
The advanced metrics liked him, too. According to Sumer Sports, Cook ranked sixth among running backs in expected points added per rush, total expected points added, and yards per carry.
It’s safe to say he’s established himself as a rising star, and Buffalo will have to pay him like one to keep him around.
“The business part is gonna take care of itself,” McDermott said. “Brandon (Beane) I know is on top of that and he will be on top of that moving forward.”
There’s plenty of time to reach an agreement, but it might serve the Bills best to get ahead of the issue before his price potentially increases in 2025.