James Cook returned to practice on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he earned a big-money extension.
The Buffalo Bills and Cook have agreed to terms on a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the deal.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed Cook's deal through the 2029 season in a news conference later Wednesday.
"We want to draft and develop and re-sign," Beane said. "You guys know all the money we've doled out this offseason. This is another draft pick that we're proud of and excited to extend.
"Fortunately, late last night, we got it across the finish line."
The $12 million per year in new-money average is a significant boost over the $5.271 million in base salary the running back was set to make in the final year of his rookie contract. Cook is now tied for the sixth-highest-paid running back in the NFL.
"I just want to spend the rest of my career here and be here forever," Cook told team reporter Maddy Glab upon signing the deal.
Cook is coming off back-to-back 1,000-plus yard campaigns. In 2024, he led the Bills with 207 carries, 1,009 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, tied for the most in the NFL. The 16 rushing scores also tied for the most in a season in Buffalo franchise history.
Cook averaged a career-high 4.9 yards per tote last year, ranking sixth-most in the NFL (min. 150 carries).
The back skipped voluntary offseason workouts this spring but participated in June's mandatory minicamp. He reported to training camp last month, but on Aug. 3, he stopped practicing, citing “business” reasons. Though he dressed for the preseason opener against the Giants, he did not play.
His hold-in abruptly ended on Tuesday with coach Sean McDermott saying things "changed" with Cook's situation. The coach didn't elaborate on the change, and Cook declined to speak to the media after practice.
Less than 24 hours later, the truth of what changed is now clear.
Cook got paid.
"I think we had an understanding that we need to practice if we're gonna be able to get back to the table," Beane said, explaining Cook's return to practice on Tuesday. "I think there was good faith on both parts, from him and his agent to our side. Once we got him back on the practice field, we really worked hard yesterday. ... I think it was roughly 11 o'clock or so last night where we were able to say both sides were good with this and we'll get it signed in the morning."
While Cook's AAV is less than the $15 million he sought, following Kyren Williams' $11 million-per-year deal that came down last week, that $15 million figure seemed a pipe dream. Meeting at $12 million per year feels like a good solution for both the Bills and the running back.
With the Bills employing a committee approach, Cook logged just 49 percent of the snaps last season, raising questions about whether the club would want to pay a back with that rep count more than $10 million per year. In the end, they did.
"We like what he provides," Beane said of Cook. "We do see him as a three-down type player. We do think he can take more, but we also want to use our other weapons and keep him as fresh as possible. We think that's the best utilization of him.
"He's got a skill set that we wanted to maintain and keep with this offense."
Now, entering 2025, the deal is wrapped up, and the Bills can focus on the goal of winning their first Super Bowl. Giving their highly paid running back a few more touches would go a long way toward that goal.
