Is Cook worth it?

[3rdand12]

8 hours ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Great analysis.  We have a top 2 QB in the league.  An all timer.  And we are going to to pay our RB top 5 money?   That makes no sense.  We should be all in w the passing game.  Otherwise, why pay Josh $300+ million?  
 

if the offense is going to be run centric, then we certainly have the wrong coaching staff running things.  And speaking of which, I think Joe Brady still has a lot to prove in his play calling, scheme etc.  Our short yardage play calls against KC in the Championship were absolutely terrible.  👎👎

Because he's a pass catching RB. Actually his strength.

We old guys still want that 3 down cloud of dirt and blood RB who forces missed tackles by running over sht in a loaded box

[3rdand12]

3 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I agree about overpaying Cook, but I don’t love the way this situation has played out. We made the choice to move to a scheme that was more run heavy. Cook produced, and now we don’t want to pay him that amount. I think it would be a huge overpay, but the run heavy scheme would need to be thrown out without Cook.
 

Additionally, this run heavy scheme means nothing if we can’t gain one yard on multiple occasions in a title game. Unfortunately, most fans prefer to blame Kincaid. We’re possibly in the Super Bowl if we knew how to pick up one yard.

Not the whole scheme !

 Can easily be run centric again with proper Coaching on the field and from the Booth lol.

btw

I expect the passing game might be a bit more focused on under Brady.

 Kromer proved his point about "his Boys" 👍 and the run

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, 3rdand12 said:

Because he's a pass catching RB. Actually his strength.

We old guys still want that 3 down cloud of dirt and blood RB who forces missed tackles by running over sht in a loaded box

 

I'm not convinced that even if we had one of those guys that Beane and McDermott would play them that way.

 

They both came from "RB Committee" central in Carolina. And they've brought that with them. I don't think they subscribe to the "3 Down RB" theory. They've been bringing in different styles of Backs, utilized in different ways, with a specific 3rd Down RB from Day 1. 

 

If we uncovered a Derrick Henry style RB, I'd bet they still wouldn't utilize him as an every down RB. They'd probably still take him off the field for someone else depending on situations and to keep him from taking too much damage.

[Thurman#1]

On 6/8/2025 at 4:28 PM, balln said:

He is pretty comparable to Gibbs. Go watch the lions game again. Tell me who’d you rather have. Anyone’s “replaceable.” We can put Devin Singletary and Zach moss back there again if you want. 
 

you then contradict yourself by saying “any top RB” is dime a dozen. What?

 

you just don’t think he’s worth 15M got it.  That fine.
 

Up until this year the power question was valid. But this year James cook really put that to bed. Honestly sick of the gaslighting of people to try and justify their $ argument. Dude runs thru KC defense in AFC Championship game. And again go back to lions game - I believe his first td run - he runs thru 5 dudes at the goal line with awesome contact balance 

 

he’s our most explosive offensive weapon outside of Josh. I don’t where I fall on the $ number. But if Shakir , Benford , Groot got paid who are all solid players…. James cook needs to be paid … it’s that simple. 

 

 

It really is NOT ... that simple.

 

Because one guy gets paid, another guy should get paid ... regardless of value? Sorry, man, that makes sense in no sense whatsoever. All of those other signings - without exception - were great values.

 

And being a great value is kinda what you would expect if the team signs you after your third year. You do them a favor by giving them money early, and they give you a bit of a discount. Which is the opposite of how Cook is going about this.

 

As for Jamyr Gibbs vs. James Cook? Man, I like Cook a lot, but not that much.

 

Cook does have terrific contact balance. But that's not the same thing as power. That great run against the Lions showed a ton of contact balance but not particularly much power. Which is Cook.

 

Most explosive weapon outside of Josh? Yeah, fair enough, probably. But that doesn't necessarily equate to $15M. Get him back ... if the price is reasonable for him. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Thurman#1

[Ayjent]

I think about it like this even though i know the relative market for positions is different: is he as important to the Bills as other guys getting that much a year on the Bills?  I think he is and $15M is less than Benford gets and just north of an oft-injured Bosa.  Would $14M/yr get it done?  I think he didnt get the Ball enough in the 2nd half of the AFCCG - i dont blame him for staying steady at that amount per yr to stay with the Bills who he may have felt stunted his opportunity in a major game. It sucks this is the situation but i get it. 

[WNYFAN1]

21 hours ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Great analysis.  We have a top 2 QB in the league.  An all timer.  And we are going to to pay our RB top 5 money?   That makes no sense.  We should be all in w the passing game.  Otherwise, why pay Josh $300+ million?  
 

if the offense is going to be run centric, then we certainly have the wrong coaching staff running things.  And speaking of which, I think Joe Brady still has a lot to prove in his play calling, scheme etc.  Our short yardage play calls against KC in the Championship were absolutely terrible.  👎👎

Don't disagree, but "if" the offense is going to be run centric? It 100% has been under Joe Brady. Look at that "top 2 QB's" passing numbers last year:

 

Passing Yards - 14th

Comp % - 24th

Attempts - 14th

Yrd/Completion - 9th

Passing TDs - T7th

 

Joe Brady is a "run first" guy. Or at least he has been to this point.

 

[SoMAn]

No. 

He's great asset to have in the offense, but he's not an every down player. 

If Josh went down, there would be a big drop-off with his replacement.

If Cook was out for whatever reason, the drop-off would be noticeable, but hardly devastating if limited to the trio of Davis, Johnson, and Gore Jr.

You could even make the argument that the passing game out of the backfield might even be improved. 

 

It doesn't take Jerry McGuire to see that Cook is not in the same tier as Henry, Barkley, McCaffrey, Taylor et al.  As proof, would any of those backs be offered in trade as an even swap for Cook?  Of course not.  The teams with the rights to those backs would undoubtedly demand further compensation.

 

Without the experience of a draft cap expert or NFL GM, any one of us can easily peg Cook as an 11-12 million/year RB, maybe with a few incentives.

For a guy who probably couldn't physically be used as an every down back, he should be glad to get that much. Running Backs are not difficult to replace. If he wants to continue whine and demand more than he's worth, trade his ass to the Giants, Browns, or some other cellar dweller.

If it comes to that, enjoy your career Jimbo, and enjoy having most of January free so you can watch the NFL playoffs from the comfort of your mansion.

 

[mjt328]

16 minutes ago, SoMAn said:

No. 

He's great asset to have in the offense, but he's not an every down player. 

If Josh went down, there would be a big drop-off with his replacement.

If Cook was out for whatever reason, the drop-off would be noticeable, but hardly devastating if limited to the trio of Davis, Johnson, and Gore Jr.

You could even make the argument that the passing game out of the backfield might even be improved. 

 

It doesn't take Jerry McGuire to see that Cook is not in the same tier as Henry, Barkley, McCaffrey, Taylor et al.  As proof, would any of those backs be offered in trade as an even swap for Cook?  Of course not.  The teams with the rights to those backs would undoubtedly demand further compensation.

 

Without the experience of a draft cap expert or NFL GM, any one of us can easily peg Cook as an 11-12 million/year RB, maybe with a few incentives.

For a guy who probably couldn't physically be used as an every down back, he should be glad to get that much. Running Backs are not difficult to replace. If he wants to continue whine and demand more than he's worth, trade his ass to the Giants, Browns, or some other cellar dweller.

If it comes to that, enjoy your career Jimbo, and enjoy having most of January free so you can watch the NFL playoffs from the comfort of your mansion.

 

 

Exactly.  Some fans (and in the media) are totally forgetting the value/overpay portion of this situation.  It's not just a pay or not pay debate.

 

If reports are true about his contract demands being around $15 million per season, he's simply asking for way too much money from a Super Bowl contending team that is consistently tight against the salary cap.  That amount would tie him with Derrick Henry as the 3rd-highest paid RB in the entire NFL (only behind Saquan Barkley and Christian McAffrey).  It would put him above Jonathan Taylor as well.

 

Last year, Josh Jacobs signed for $12 million per... only a season after winning the rushing title.  I'm not sure James Cook can even argue to be in that tier, considering that he's not our 3rd-Down back (Ty Johnson) OR our primary short-yardage guy (Josh Allen).  Not to mention the Bills have a talented 2nd-year guy (Ray Davis) waiting in the wings.  

 

Sorry... but if Cook wants an early extension, then he needs to make it financially worth it for the Bills and take a hometown discount.  Less than $10 million per season if he wants a contract now.  Even if he was a free agent at this very moment, I don't think he's getting close to $15 million on the open market.  He has absolutely no leverage here.  Holding out is just going to turn the fans against him, and give the front office the impression that he's not a team-first guy.

 

[Paul Costa]

Jimbo is giving Darrynton Evans a great opportunity to show the coaching staff if he is a viable option as a Cook replacement. He is the third back on the roster if Cook acts silly this summer not Gore. 

[Big Turk]

33 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

Exactly.  Some fans (and in the media) are totally forgetting the value/overpay portion of this situation.  It's not just a pay or not pay debate.

 

If reports are true about his contract demands being around $15 million per season, he's simply asking for way too much money from a Super Bowl contending team that is consistently tight against the salary cap.  That amount would tie him with Derrick Henry as the 3rd-highest paid RB in the entire NFL (only behind Saquan Barkley and Christian McAffrey).  It would put him above Jonathan Taylor as well.

 

Last year, Josh Jacobs signed for $12 million per... only a season after winning the rushing title.  I'm not sure James Cook can even argue to be in that tier, considering that he's not our 3rd-Down back (Ty Johnson) OR our primary short-yardage guy (Josh Allen).  Not to mention the Bills have a talented 2nd-year guy (Ray Davis) waiting in the wings.  

 

Sorry... but if Cook wants an early extension, then he needs to make it financially worth it for the Bills and take a hometown discount.  Less than $10 million per season if he wants a contract now.  Even if he was a free agent at this very moment, I don't think he's getting close to $15 million on the open market.  He has absolutely no leverage here.  Holding out is just going to turn the fans against him, and give the front office the impression that he's not a team-first guy.

 

 

that's my point...he is limited to a 2 down back because his pass pro is abysmal, often times getting Allen nearly killed by whiffing on blocks. If he wants to be "worth" that money then he should have spent the off-season working on this not crying about money. Having a massive hole in your game for an RB that limits his ability to be a 3 down back is one of the best ways to ensure you don't get a big contract.

[SoMAn]

27 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

Exactly.  Some fans (and in the media) are totally forgetting the value/overpay portion of this situation.  It's not just a pay or not pay debate.

 

If reports are true about his contract demands being around $15 million per season, he's simply asking for way too much money from a Super Bowl contending team that is consistently tight against the salary cap.  That amount would tie him with Derrick Henry as the 3rd-highest paid RB in the entire NFL (only behind Saquan Barkley and Christian McAffrey).  It would put him above Jonathan Taylor as well.

 

Last year, Josh Jacobs signed for $12 million per... only a season after winning the rushing title.  I'm not sure James Cook can even argue to be in that tier, considering that he's not our 3rd-Down back (Ty Johnson) OR our primary short-yardage guy (Josh Allen).  Not to mention the Bills have a talented 2nd-year guy (Ray Davis) waiting in the wings.  

 

Sorry... but if Cook wants an early extension, then he needs to make it financially worth it for the Bills and take a hometown discount.  Less than $10 million per season if he wants a contract now.  Even if he was a free agent at this very moment, I don't think he's getting close to $15 million on the open market.  He has absolutely no leverage here.  Holding out is just going to turn the fans against him, and give the front office the impression that he's not a team-first guy.

 

The key part to any negotiation is knowing the reasonable market value for whatever product or service you're offering, otherwise you're just pissing in the wind.  We don't know how much of the posturing is coming directly from Cook, his agent in his ear, or big brother giving him bad advice. 

If James wants to take the same route as big bro, good luck with your journeyman, falling salary. 

James is already close to his peak and may be on the way down in a year or two.  He'd be smart to take whatever the Bills offer (within reason) and shut TFU.

[Thurman#1]

3 hours ago, WNYFAN1 said:

Don't disagree, but "if" the offense is going to be run centric? It 100% has been under Joe Brady. Look at that "top 2 QB's" passing numbers last year:

 

Passing Yards - 14th

Comp % - 24th

Attempts - 14th

Yrd/Completion - 9th

Passing TDs - T7th

 

Joe Brady is a "run first" guy. Or at least he has been to this point.

 

 

 

Run first? No, not so far. 

 

Below 50% runs, and that's counting Josh Allen's scrambles as runs.

 

Does he want us to be able to do both on any given play? Yup. But it's not run first. It's you don't know which will be first, 'cause we can and will do both.

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Thurman#1

[SoMAn]

Looking for the silver lining....if Cook isn't playing for the Bills this year, at least we'll be spared the radio highlight excitement of Chris Brown's tired and somewhat contrived,  "the cook is in the kitchen !!!!".

[Paup 1995MVP]

20 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I agree about overpaying Cook, but I don’t love the way this situation has played out. We made the choice to move to a scheme that was more run heavy. Cook produced, and now we don’t want to pay him that amount. I think it would be a huge overpay, but the run heavy scheme would need to be thrown out without Cook.
 

Additionally, this run heavy scheme means nothing if we can’t gain one yard on multiple occasions in a title game. Unfortunately, most fans prefer to blame Kincaid. We’re possibly in the Super Bowl if we knew how to pick up one yard.

I agree about our short yardage deficiencies against KC.  It was awful.  We kept on running the same play over and over.  With the same poor results.  Brady should have been called out big time for the lack of any creativity in the short yardage play calling.  To get to and win a Super Bowl you need excellent coaching in all 3 phases of the game.  We came up short both literally and figuratively in that department against KC.

 

Hopefully the play calling is better in the big moments this coming season.  And also we improve on special teams with a new coach.

[Matt_In_NH]

2 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

that's my point...he is limited to a 2 down back because his pass pro is abysmal, often times getting Allen nearly killed by whiffing on blocks. If he wants to be "worth" that money then he should have spent the off-season working on this not crying about money. Having a massive hole in your game for an RB that limits his ability to be a 3 down back is one of the best ways to ensure you don't get a big contract.

 

Joe Marino talked about the pass pro argument and it turns out the Bills ask a RB to pass pro at a VERY low rate.  And they asked James cook to do it a very small amount of times, not even once a game.  While its true he is not good at it, it is also true they dont ask RB's to do it much.  In additon to pass pro he is not an ideal back on short yardage and has suspect hands.  Agree with the overall assessment, he is a two down back and not worth what he put out there.

 

People get so emotional about this stuff though, it is all just black and white.  I see the case from both sides and I am not at all surprised they are not coming to an agreement.    In this case I think it makes sense for Cook to want to get paid, he will have one chance to get a good payday.   RB's get screwed by the current structure for rookies because they have such short career spans.   If he plays this year he risks injury and never getting it (Bills have the leverage).  However the Bills could look at him and say, he is not worth 15M AAV, on the open market he may get 10-12MAAV but we don't value him even there.  So they are at a stand still, Cook and his reps will have to decide what the best course of action is.  I woudl not be that surprised if the Bills are not that in interested in an extension at what his market rate would be.   If he sits, he takes a hit on some of the 5M coming to him this year and teams may downgrade him just because of his potential to hold out.

[Paup 1995MVP]

17 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

Because he's a pass catching RB. Actually his strength.

We old guys still want that 3 down cloud of dirt and blood RB who forces missed tackles by running over sht in a loaded box

We need to do that some times.  Can't just send Josh plowing into the line.  The Chiefs figured that play out real quick in the AFCCG.  Running Gilliam or Ty Johnson through a crease off the center or guard once in a while would be nice change of pace in short yardage.

4 hours ago, WNYFAN1 said:

Don't disagree, but "if" the offense is going to be run centric? It 100% has been under Joe Brady. Look at that "top 2 QB's" passing numbers last year:

 

Passing Yards - 14th

Comp % - 24th

Attempts - 14th

Yrd/Completion - 9th

Passing TDs - T7th

 

Joe Brady is a "run first" guy. Or at least he has been to this point.

 

I agree.  And that's kind of weird with the QB we have.  And we haven't exactly put a lot of draft capital into improving our WR group.  That being said, I am excited about Moore and Palmer.  I think they can both be good WR's with Josh throwing them the ball.  And you would think Coleman would improve a good bit from his rookie season.  Add in the dynamic Shakir, and a hopefully healthy Samuel and Kincaid, and you have a pretty good group of pass catchers..

[MikePJ76]

3 hours ago, mjt328 said:

 

Exactly.  Some fans (and in the media) are totally forgetting the value/overpay portion of this situation.  It's not just a pay or not pay debate.

 

If reports are true about his contract demands being around $15 million per season, he's simply asking for way too much money from a Super Bowl contending team that is consistently tight against the salary cap.  That amount would tie him with Derrick Henry as the 3rd-highest paid RB in the entire NFL (only behind Saquan Barkley and Christian McAffrey).  It would put him above Jonathan Taylor as well.

 

Last year, Josh Jacobs signed for $12 million per... only a season after winning the rushing title.  I'm not sure James Cook can even argue to be in that tier, considering that he's not our 3rd-Down back (Ty Johnson) OR our primary short-yardage guy (Josh Allen).  Not to mention the Bills have a talented 2nd-year guy (Ray Davis) waiting in the wings.  

 

Sorry... but if Cook wants an early extension, then he needs to make it financially worth it for the Bills and take a hometown discount.  Less than $10 million per season if he wants a contract now.  Even if he was a free agent at this very moment, I don't think he's getting close to $15 million on the open market.  He has absolutely no leverage here.  Holding out is just going to turn the fans against him, and give the front office the impression that he's not a team-first guy.

 

You want James Cook to take less than Josh Jacobs took in march of 2024?  The NFL is a production business.  James Cook has produced in his two seasons starting.

 

Compare Cook and Jacobs 2023 and 2024, Cook became a starter in 2023 its the fair place to start.

 

 

Cook has 3 rushed for 3 yards less than Jacobs in 90 less carries.  Cook has accounted for for 2 more TD's total in the regular season than Jacobs and in the postseason he has 2 more TD's then him.

 

 

 

So again, The NFL is a production business.  There is no way in which the Bills can offer James Cook less money than Josh Jacobs received 15 months ago.  Throw in the fact that Cook is younger and has less wear and tear plus he is a perfect fit in the offense.  The Bills are in a tough spot here.  They decided to pay under performing Defensive players and WR's who produce less than cook does.  

 

Cook deserves a raise and I hope he stands his ground.  I guarantee you every player in that locker room does too.  Letting Cook walk over money when a lot of under performing Defensive players were resigned irregardless if they took less or set the market will draw some double takes from players in the locker room.

 

and yes I understand RB has been deemed the position you don't pay because so many teams have used RB by Committee the last 20 years or so but that should not supercede The Bills as an organization doing what is best for the team to win in the near future.  This type of thing is not one size fits all unless you are a backwards hat wearing youtube scout who obsesses over groupthink.

 

The Bills need to get this done ASAP.  I love Ray Davis.  I think he will be even better this year but Cook put the work in and his skillset is unique.  He should be just viewed as an offensive skill player the way they turned OLB into "Edge" etc.   

 

[WNYFAN1]

2 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

Run first? No, not so far. 

 

Below 50% runs, and that's counting Josh Allen's scrambles as runs.

 

Does he want us to be able to do both on any given play? Yup. But it's not run first. It's you don't know which will be first, 'cause we can and will do both.

 

 

How do you count passes behind the line of scrimmage? This is a dink and dunk, run first offense with Josh making off-script hero plays. Not a high-octane passing offense by any stretch of the imagination.

[nuklz2594]

cook reminds me of cowboys preston pearson. not worth 15 per year. it is all about the trenches, a competent qb, and a good defense. hate to say this...but thats the patriot way.

[Gugny]

14 minutes ago, nuklz2594 said:

cook reminds me of cowboys preston pearson. not worth 15 per year. it is all about the trenches, a competent qb, and a good defense. hate to say this...but thats the patriot way.

The Patriot way included Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. 
 

I hate to say this … but we have nothing close to that.