Is Cook worth it?

[DrDawkinstein]

 

[Billsfed1]

8 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

It’s a well deserved spot.  If he can replicate those numbers again this year, I’ll be willing to say “he’s worth it” 😂

[Richard Noggin]

2 hours ago, Billsfed1 said:

It’s a well deserved spot.  If he can replicate those numbers again this year, I’ll be willing to say “he’s worth it” 😂

 

See, I'd still (probably) argue against the Bills agreeing to the kind of contract I'm afraid Cook would demand. He's dynamic, no doubt, and a weapon with the ball in his hands. He looks really good in Brady/Kromer's rushing attack. A threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. 

 

My main reluctance is more philosophical with respect to roster construction: only way an RB should make WR money is if he's a 3-down beast who pass blocks and has reliable hands. The holes in Cook's game would need to be plugged to sell me on a top-3ish (for now) RB contract. And by that point he's gonna have other suitors. A team on a rookie QB contract could justify signing a guy like Cook, and it would be smart. Denver, Washington, Minnesota, etc. 

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

See, I'd still (probably) argue against the Bills agreeing to the kind of contract I'm afraid Cook would demand. He's dynamic, no doubt, and a weapon with the ball in his hands. He looks really good in Brady/Kromer's rushing attack. A threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. 

 

My main reluctance is more philosophical with respect to roster construction: only way an RB should make WR money is if he's a 3-down beast who pass blocks and has reliable hands. The holes in Cook's game would need to be plugged to sell me on a top-3ish (for now) RB contract. And by that point he's gonna have other suitors. A team on a rookie QB contract could justify signing a guy like Cook, and it would be smart. Denver, Washington, Minnesota, etc. 

 

The Steelers just let Najee Harris walk after 4 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons but he currently averages a full yard per carry less than Cook. If Cook goes for 1,000 yards again at a healthy ypc and the Bills still let him walk it would be pretty unusual by NFL standards. Although I agree with you philosophically about the positional spend. 

[Richard Noggin]

18 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The Steelers just let Najee Harris walk after 4 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons but he currently averages a full yard per carry less than Cook. If Cook goes for 1,000 yards again at a healthy ypc and the Bills still let him walk it would be pretty unusual by NFL standards. Although I agree with you philosophically about the positional spend. 

 

And if Cook has another productive, explosive season similar to 2024, I won't be angry or disappointed if the Bills meet his demands. But I DO think at that point it will already be too late, and he'll be priced out of Beane's comfort level. 

 

*I'd take Cook over Harris 8 times out of 10, easily. Harris is just not very dangerous, despite being well-rounded and physical. Just doesn't get up field with much urgency. Kind of Cook's opposite. 

[GunnerBill]

3 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

And if Cook has another productive, explosive season similar to 2024, I won't be angry or disappointed if the Bills meet his demands. But I DO think at that point it will already be too late, and he'll be priced out of Beane's comfort level. 

 

*I'd take Cook over Harris 8 times out of 10, easily. Harris is just not very dangerous, despite being well-rounded and physical. Just doesn't get up field with much urgency. Kind of Cook's opposite. 

 

Yea Cook is better than Harris. Not even close. The reason for the comparison is I was trying to find an example, even in these days of devalued running backs, of a team letting a guy walk after 3 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons - which I imagined to be extremely rare. I think it is but it just happened with Harris. That is the only one I could come up with though. 

[Chandler#81]

Love me some James. Hope we can keep him after the season..

[yall]

I'm seeing lots of posts on social media from multiple sources describing what a miserable guy he's been at his various events, appearances, summer camps for kids, etc. 

 

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

Here are a few samples that came up in my feed:

 

My son attended his camp in Albany on Monday. He showed up late and appeared completely miserable. My kid come off the field and said cook was acting like he didnt even want to be there. Everyone has bad days and things happen but to act like that at a camp for kids who look up to you

 

A reply to the above said;

 

We attended one the next day in Buffalo same kind of thing. Acting like he just woke up barely any interaction with the kids. My son said he was rude. He told kids to “stop asking questions” and “just look at the camera and take the picture” not impressed what so ever..I’ve heard nothing but awful things by many it’s unfortunate

 

And another:

 

We didn’t sign up this year because last years it was a one and done type thing. He was late and miserable there too… didn’t sign anything else for anyone unless you paid extra for the on field access… 

 

 

[Gregg]

Where are the Bills with Cook and the contract situation? Are they closer to getting a deal done? He is our 2nd best player on offense. Need to get a deal done hopefully.

[Ga boy]

17 minutes ago, Gregg said:

Where are the Bills with Cook and the contract situation? Are they closer to getting a deal done? He is our 2nd best player on offense. Need to get a deal done hopefully.

My guess is that a $12 million deal with $30 million guaranteed will get done by game 1.  He knows that this team is his best chance to get a SB, and the Bills know that he is the perfect RB for this offense.  If they wait a year, his price goes up.

[Gregg]

9 minutes ago, Ga boy said:

My guess is that a $12 million deal with $30 million guaranteed will get done by game 1.  He knows that this team is his best chance to get a SB, and the Bills know that he is the perfect RB for this offense.  If they wait a year, his price goes up.

 

I hope so because if they don't have him their chances for a Super Bowl take a major hit. The Bills WR's/TE's are average, and Allen can't do it by himself. Cook may not be in Barkley and Henry's league, but he is an excellent back who takes a lot of pressure off Allen.

[JohninMinn.]

Cook is ranked 24th in yards after contact. That's a reason to move on along with some key drops.

[Gregg]

4 minutes ago, JohninMinn. said:

Cook is ranked 24th in yards after contact. That's a reason to move on along with some key drops.

 

Last year his stats were as follows

 

Rushing - 207 carries, 1009 yards, 4.9 avg with 16 TD's

Receiving - 32 receptions 258 yards 8.1 avg with 2 TD's

 

18 total TD's is something you can't dismiss. If we had a better receiving group then maybe it would be easier to move on from him, but we don't. He is the 2nd best player on offense. The Bills need him for a Super Bowl run.

[Mister Defense]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

 

Last year his stats were as follows

 

Rushing - 207 carries, 1009 yards, 4.9 avg with 16 TD's

Receiving - 32 receptions 258 yards 8.1 avg with 2 TD's

 

18 total TD's is something you can't dismiss. If we had a better receiving group then maybe it would be easier to move on from him, but we don't. He is the 2nd best player on offense. The Bills need him for a Super Bowl run.

 

Yup, duh, of course, but some will never get it, as they have heard 'never pay a running back', and they're clearly sticking with it!  No matter that it is not supportable in any way, and so has not been in all of these threads. Just nonsense to back up more nonsense.

 

But it will all be a moot point very soon.

 

it seems, just like I have been saying for weeks, he is as good as signed.

 

This will NOT be a distraction during training camp. The Bill will have their best offensive weapon set for years.  Beane is not stupid.

 

And much to the chagrin of the 'let him walk', the overrated malcontent, group he will be one of the highest payed running backs in the NFL.

 

And will have a monster year, one of the best in Bills' history in our last year at The Ralph.

 

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Mister Defense

[LEBills]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

 

Last year his stats were as follows

 

Rushing - 207 carries, 1009 yards, 4.9 avg with 16 TD's

Receiving - 32 receptions 258 yards 8.1 avg with 2 TD's

 

18 total TD's is something you can't dismiss. If we had a better receiving group then maybe it would be easier to move on from him, but we don't. He is the 2nd best player on offense. The Bills need him for a Super Bowl run.

Don’t forget that he averaged 112 yards and a touchdown per game in the playoffs this year. Better than anything 24 mil/per year Diggs ever provided in the postseason.

Edited 5 hours ago by LEBills

[Snowbowl]

I’m honestly wondering why he wants to stay here after being unhappy about being on the sideline at the end of the Chiefs game. I’d be happy to just let him play for a big payoff next year. We could always tag him or let him walk if someone else steps up this year. Wouldn’t be disappointed if we Sidney him to a reasonable new deal this year either. 

[boater]

2 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

And much to the chagrin of the 'let him walk', the overrated malcontent, group he will be one of the highest payed running backs in the NFL.

 

 

So the Bills will have one of the highest paid QB's in the NFL, and also the one of the highest paid running backs. That's a lot of salary cap for two players.

 

I don't want to hear any complaints when they have to skimp at other roster spots.

[Mat68]

On 7/8/2025 at 12:16 AM, Richard Noggin said:

 

See, I'd still (probably) argue against the Bills agreeing to the kind of contract I'm afraid Cook would demand. He's dynamic, no doubt, and a weapon with the ball in his hands. He looks really good in Brady/Kromer's rushing attack. A threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. 

 

My main reluctance is more philosophical with respect to roster construction: only way an RB should make WR money is if he's a 3-down beast who pass blocks and has reliable hands. The holes in Cook's game would need to be plugged to sell me on a top-3ish (for now) RB contract. And by that point he's gonna have other suitors. A team on a rookie QB contract could justify signing a guy like Cook, and it would be smart. Denver, Washington, Minnesota, etc. 

My counter is the sport isnt played and managed in a vaccuum.  Resources are limited.  They have invested more into the TE and Wr rooms than RB.  Now where limited resources come in.  Remove positions who performed and produced the best last season comparable to the league.  Allen, Dawkins, Browns, Mcgovern, Benford and without question Cook.  Shakir and Bernard were extended but did not have the production Cook had.  At a point you need good players.  Today Cook is a better NFL back than Shakir is an NFL wr.  Even with a Contract to Cook he wouldnt be the highest paid none qb on the offense or make Rb the highest paid positional group.  So in terms of positional hierarchy rb would still be slotted appropriately.  Without a true number WR or elite TE.  Cooks value to the current roster is very high.  

[DrDawkinstein]

44 minutes ago, boater said:

 

So the Bills will have one of the highest paid QB's in the NFL, and also the one of the highest paid running backs. That's a lot of salary cap for two players.

 

I don't want to hear any complaints when they have to skimp at other roster spots.

 

We're far away from that being a real concern.

 

Look at the Eagles spending. Look at how much the cap has been going up YoY with streaming taking hold. Additionally, it doesnt look like Beane/Brady are looking to bring in a #1 WR that commands $30M+/year, nor do we have any young WR that will command as much anytime soon, so that opens 2 more spots at $15M/yr (Cook and McGovern for example).

 

If we need to "skimp" at other spots like TE and not paying Knox $10-15M/yr, or #4 WR and not paying Curtis Samuel $8-10M/yr for his non-contributions, then so be it.

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by DrDawkinstein

[SCBills]

After that year, he was voted 89 and listed as #8 in Scout/GM poll. 
 

Thats about where I’d assume we have his value listed. 
 

Cook’s value ask is for a guy in the Top 30 and Top 4, respectively. 
 

Edited 2 hours ago by SCBills