The Buffalo Bills were one of the best teams in the league during the 2024 NFL season.
They went 13-4, won the AFC East, and earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC bracket of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
The Bills lacked a true superstar pass catcher this year, but it didn’t matter with Josh Allen playing at an MVP level and the running game making his life easier.
James Cook headed the backfield, building on the momentum he gained late last season into the recent regular season.
Although a little smaller for a workhorse back, Cook had a knack for exploding through gaps and keeping the offense on schedule.
He was also tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns with 16, showing a clear nose for the end zone and scoring points in the Bills’ offensive ecosystem.
Cook is now extension-eligible and expected to receive a new deal this offseason via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
“My understanding is he is a big part of the Bills’ future,” Rapoport said.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo: #Bills RB James Cook could cash in after a breakthrough season; The #Falcons made a big move, hiring Jeff Ulbrich as DC; #Ravens OC Todd Monken has been busy interviewing for HC jobs. pic.twitter.com/53ys1lFUsJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2025
There has been a lot of debate the past couple of seasons regarding paying running backs, but players like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry have proven it’s worth investing in the position group.
Cook may not be able to handle the same workloads, but he’s still a valuable running back who can help Allen and the offense.
It’ll be interesting to see what the final guaranteed amounts come out to, but Cook shouldn’t be going anywhere after the season he had.
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