Is Cook worth it?

[Mister Defense]

3 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

I think Cooks contract is fine, it's the way he went about getting it that I didn't like. 

 

Public negotiations aren't the usual Bills way, and I hope it doesn't become a regular occurrence.

 

Agreed.. but running backs are so underpaid, though changing,  and they often only get one big contract like this, that to me it was different.

 

One slip on the turf this year, without a new contract he would never get his due.

 

I think that is why his team members did not just support him in the kind of general way team members do in these situations, but were quite specific in what they said.  Such as Allen, and when he said those things I knew the contract would get done.  Cook's success means Josh has more success.

 

And gets things like MVPS--and championships.

 

 

[Einstein's Dog]

5 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

 

Agreed.. but running backs are so underpaid, though changing,  and they often only get one big contract like this, that to me it was different.

 

One slip on the turf this year, without a new contract he would never get his due.

 

I think that is why his team members did not just support him in the kind of general way team members do in these situations, but were quite specific in what they said.  Such as Allen, and when he said those things I knew the contract would get done.  Cook's success means Josh has more success.

 

And gets things like MVPS--and championships.

 

 

Cook is an electric player.  And he has improved each year, no longer a fumbling concern, good (to becoming excellent) in short yardage (despite his size).  And I am not sure why he isn't considered the 3rd down back when he came in with that expectation.  I think we will see Cook in the lineup in crunch times from here out (I think he was in there in Balt).

 

And to Dr Dawks earlier thought.  I think if Cook realizes his potential during the season and is on the tier of Barkley/Henry I would like the Bills FO to do what those FOs did and increase his pay.  I would just prefer to hear about it after it's done - like Barkley/Henry.

 

And on a side note, whenever you play Baltimore you hear you're going up against Lamar+ Henry, with the Bills I think Cook gets shortchanged a little in that they don't say how are they going to stop Allen + Cook.

[Sojourner]

3 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

showing "workhorse" capability 

Never doubted Cook being integral to this offense but the drop off to Davis/Johnson is pretty sizable . 
 

 

[Billsfed1]

19 hours ago, Sojourner said:

Never doubted Cook being integral to this offense but the drop off to Davis/Johnson is pretty sizable . 
 

 

Right now…the best skill player on offense not named Allen is Cook, and he looks like he’s in for a big year

[Magox]

And to think that there was a strong contingency on this board that were willing to let him walk if he didn’t sign for less than $15m a year.   
 

Beane is a great negotiator and got Cook for a great deal but if it would have taken $15m a year he would have been worth every penny of it.

 

Be honest, and I really like Shakir, who is more valuable to this team?  Shakir or Cook?

[Negan]

Would love to see Frank Gore Jr get a chance over Davis to back up Cookie.

[Low Positive]

19 hours ago, Einstein's Dog said:

And on a side note, whenever you play Baltimore you hear you're going up against Lamar+ Henry, with the Bills I think Cook gets shortchanged a little in that they don't say how are they going to stop Allen + Cook.

You might not hear that from fans or talking heads, but DCs know the bind they're in. 

[Gunsgoodtime]

19 hours ago, Sojourner said:

Never doubted Cook being integral to this offense but the drop off to Davis/Johnson is pretty sizable . 
 

 

Yup personally I have never been a supporter of "running backs are a dime a dozen" theory.  Running backs like Davis do fit that narrative though, but like any other position, RB has players that are better than others, and touch the ball and have more impact than any other player on offense.  That qoute has never made sense to me

[chongli]

Me so hungry:

 

 

[BuffBillsForLife]

Is Cook being mediocre to bad at pass pro a legitimate reason to keep him off the field at this point? Davis looks horrendous and Johnson doesn't look much better so far this season. If we're running 13 personnel then he should always be on the field, surely with 3 TEs they can block.

[Sierra Foothills]

I understand that Cook’s public statement of $15 million turned some people off. I think people should consider what we don’t know about any conversations that happened between his camp and the Bills. It’s weird to me, for instance that Rousseau, Bernard, and Shakir, we’re all in the front of the line when it’s very obvious who the best player from that draft class is. Maybe Cook’s public comments was frustration regarding the Bills’, treatment of his contract. Maybe he felt disrespected by the team. Maybe his comments were necessary to get what he was seeking.

[Cubanmist 1]

On 4/15/2025 at 11:12 AM, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

He has been pretty good, but careful not to say Saquan or Henry good.  Wish Cook would hit the pockets harder and make defenders mad business decisions. If he had the body to do that then he would be a force to be reckoned with. Kind of like Pacheco. I really like him. Ty is good but he ain’t no thumper. 

[Maine-iac]

For the sake of owning my bad takes I thought our backs were more interchangeable than they are.  To date this year Cook is by far the best back we have and worth every penny.  Ty is still looking capable of doing Ty things.  I'm hoping Davis is just a guy who needs more carries to get into a rhythm because so far he's looking very Zach Moss like.

[Dan]

36 minutes ago, Cubanmist 1 said:

He has been pretty good, but careful not to say Saquan or Henry good.  Wish Cook would hit the pockets harder and make defenders mad business decisions. If he had the body to do that then he would be a force to be reckoned with. Kind of like Pacheco. I really like him. Ty is good but he ain’t no thumper. 

To be fair… Henry is about the only current running back in the league that can do this.  AND that’s only after he gets pst the line and builds up some speed.   So, I think that’s a bit asking for a RB that’s a once in a generation find.  
 

Cook hits the line and pushes the pocket when needed. He’s also patient and sets up his blocks at a top tier level.  And then he can instantly shift gears and out run DBs.   I’m just so glad they worked a deal to keep him in the team. 
 

Go Bills!

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Cubanmist 1 said:

He has been pretty good, but careful not to say Saquan or Henry good.  Wish Cook would hit the pockets harder and make defenders mad business decisions. If he had the body to do that then he would be a force to be reckoned with. Kind of like Pacheco. I really like him. Ty is good but he ain’t no thumper. 

 

Pacheco? He sucks.

[Maine-iac]

2 hours ago, Cubanmist 1 said:

He has been pretty good, but careful not to say Saquan or Henry good.  Wish Cook would hit the pockets harder and make defenders mad business decisions. If he had the body to do that then he would be a force to be reckoned with. Kind of like Pacheco. I really like him. Ty is good but he ain’t no thumper. 

This is why for years I wish we had one 6ft 230lb RB on the roster with decent feet for their size.  Darien Martinez was out there and would have been a nice change of pace guy with Ty and Cook ahead of him.  I'm not going to hate on Davis yet maybe he just needs some carries to get going but it would be nice to have a bigger guy.

[DrDawkinstein]

He's no Derrick Henry

 

 

[Thrivefourfive]

On 9/19/2025 at 2:05 PM, Einstein's Dog said:

Cook is an electric player.  And he has improved each year, no longer a fumbling concern, good (to becoming excellent) in short yardage (despite his size).  And I am not sure why he isn't considered the 3rd down back when he came in with that expectation.  I think we will see Cook in the lineup in crunch times from here out (I think he was in there in Balt).

 

And to Dr Dawks earlier thought.  I think if Cook realizes his potential during the season and is on the tier of Barkley/Henry I would like the Bills FO to do what those FOs did and increase his pay.  I would just prefer to hear about it after it's done - like Barkley/Henry.

 

And on a side note, whenever you play Baltimore you hear you're going up against Lamar+ Henry, with the Bills I think Cook gets shortchanged a little in that they don't say how are they going to stop Allen + Cook.

Love it. Cook’s patience and vision are awesome two. On a play vs Miami, he just followed his linemen through the second level. Loved it. Didn’t try anything special. Allen + Cook is a problem for all NFL defenses right now, and I hope it’s not talked about. Hope Jimbo hopes it’s not talked about. 
 

First part of your post.. Says to me the Bills realized they f’d up not having him in late vs the Chiefs last year. Not making that mistake again. 
 

Took forever for McDermott to trust Josh. I think he trusts Cook now too. I appreciate the learning curve adaptations. 

[Einstein's Dog]

9 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Love it. Cook’s patience and vision are awesome two. On a play vs Miami, he just followed his linemen through the second level. Loved it. Didn’t try anything special. Allen + Cook is a problem for all NFL defenses right now, and I hope it’s not talked about. Hope Jimbo hopes it’s not talked about. 
 

First part of your post.. Says to me the Bills realized they f’d up not having him in late vs the Chiefs last year. Not making that mistake again. 
 

Took forever for McDermott to trust Josh. I think he trusts Cook now too. I appreciate the learning curve adaptations. 

Yes, with McDermott it seems like trust must be earned.  And lets not forget I think it was Cooks first carry was a fumble (something like that).  Cook has come a long way in that regard.  And I bet Cook improved this season too, and took to heart the criticisms of pass protection.

 

Cook seems like a complete back now, and significantly better than the average - and a tier better than the rest of the Bills RB room.  The big concern now is can he take a full sized beating for the whole season.  Or does McDermott try doing some load management to keep Cook at his best for the playoffs?

[DrDawkinstein]

Thought this was very interesting from Sunday...

 

Josh with 22 passes

Cook with 22 carries