Buffalo Bills Lock up James Cook With $46 Million Extension

Cook’s new contract ranks second in total value among NFL running backs, trailing only Josh Jacobs.

James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 10, 2023. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is ready to get back to work after signing his big extension.

The Bills’ 2022 second-round pick, Cook was looking for a payday after two thousand-yard rushing seasons. He sat out of voluntary workouts with the team and did not practice for several days while negotiations were ongoing. He returned to practice on Tuesday and signed a four-year, $46 million extension with the team on Wednesday.

“We [are] paid now,” Cook said at a press conference after practice on Wednesday. “So, let’s go play football.”

According to Spotrac, Cook’s contract includes $15.28 million guaranteed at signing, including a $9 million signing bonus. Including his annual salary guarantees, the total amount of guaranteed money is $28.82 million.

The deal also includes a $20,000 per-game active bonus beginning in 2026. It also includes a $1 million escalator bonus in 2028 and 2029 if he plays 45 percent of the team’s snaps and the Bills make the playoffs in each season.

Cook’s contract is the second-highest among running backs in terms of total value, just behind Josh Jacobs’s 4-year, $48 million deal with the Green Bay Packers. His average annual value is seventh at $11.5 million per year.

Cook’s camp originally demanded a deal in the range of $15 million per year, which would have tied the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry for the third-highest average salary. That figure was likely lowered when the Los Angeles Rams signed Kyren Williams to a three-year, $33 million contract.

Williams was also drafted in 2022 and has had comparable statistics to Cook over the past two seasons.

Cook was drafted by the Bills with the 63rd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He served as a rotational piece in a backfield that included Devin Singletary, Taiwan Jones, and Nyheim Hines.

He rushed 89 times for 507 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 21 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Cook emerged as the feature back in 2023. He rushed 237 times for 1,122 yards and two touchdowns, and added 44 receptions for 445 yards and 4 TDs; he was named to his first Pro Bowl that season.

In 2024, he had 207 carries for 1,009 yards and 16 TDs, which tied for the league lead and the Bills’ single-season franchise record; he added 32 catches for 258 yards and two TDs. His performance earned him a second Pro Bowl nod.

Cook sat out OTAs but attended mandatory minicamp while negotiations were ongoing. He initially showed up to training camp but began a “hold-in” last week, attending practice but not participating. He returned to practice on Tuesday amid speculation that a new deal was incoming.

Cook said on Wednesday he was grateful to be back: “[It was] good to be back out there to play with my team and just get another opportunity to do what I love to do.”

Cook maintained that he handled the process correctly. The fourth-year back said he was sitting out practice to stay healthy and ensure the business was taken care of so he could return with a clear head and focus on the game.

He said he had been practicing hard, so he wanted to calm down. He also noted that he attended mandatory minicamp and the beginning of camp to show that he was still a team player. He said he was aware on Tuesday that a deal was coming.

“Just [wanted] to show my loyalty to my team and my teammates,” he said. “I know they always got my back, so I’ve got their back, too. So, just showing them that I’m willing to not be a problem and a distraction.”

Cook affirmed his dedication to the team: “This [is the] place that drafted me,” he said. “The fans [are] good, the community [is] good, and just the team we got, man. We play as one. We [are] brothers, and we bond like that.”

He also shouted out his 2022 draftmates: Terrel Bernard, Khalil Shakir, and Christian Benford, all of whom signed extensions in the offseason.

“Now it’s time for us to go play football and show them why we belong here,” he said.

With the contract dispute out of the way, Cook said he was looking forward to taking his play to newer and greater heights.

“[I’m] just [going to] continue to keep doing me, being me, hopefully bring a Super Bowl here,” he said. “That’s what I’m trying to do. And just keep elevating my game.”