Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has entered himself in the conversation as one of the best running backs in the NFL entering the 2025 NFL season. Cook is entering the final year of his contract, and he is looking to get paid near the top of his position like Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens.
Cook skipped voluntary OTAs over the last couple of weeks. There is a chance that he could potentially miss mandatory minicamp later this week for the Bills. When will a contract potentially get done between the two sides? Is it a possibility that this could linger also into training camp?
ESPN Thinks That Buffalo Bills Running Back James Cook Could Miss Mandatory Minicamp This Week
NFL Nation of ESPN listed many different candidates who could potentially skip mandatory minicamp later this week. To no surprise, the Bills star running back is one of the names who could miss minicamp. They said,
“The Bills rewarded three members of the 2022 draft class — WR Khalil Shakir, LB Terrel Bernard and CB Christian Benford — with new deals this offseason. Cook, however, was not one of them even though his representatives had discussions with the Bills. The two sides were not close as he enters the fourth and final year of his contract.
Cook, 25, is coming off the best season of his career — 1,009 rushing yards,16 touchdowns on the ground (tied for the league high) — and the team has acknowledged his importance. “He was obviously huge for us last year,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady said. — Alaina Getzenberg”
Cook averaged 4.9 yards per carry during the 2024 NFL season for Buffalo. He also caught 32 passes for 258 yards receiving and two touchdowns, along with averaging 8.1 yards per carry. He does things very well for the Bills in the running game and the passing game.
Cook is the most important player on the Bills other than quarterback Josh Allen. There is a good chance that he will miss mandatory minicamp this week and also potentially the start of training camp if no contract extension can be reached before then.
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