Mini-Camp: A James Cook Barometer

[Big Blitz]

In fairness to Cook - if asked which of these RBs including Cook, would you want for the next 3 years - who would you take?  Not including rookies or guys on rookie deals.  
 

 

1. Jeanty

2. Taylor

3. Cook

 

 

Bijan, Achane, and Gibbs are going to reset the market.  Maybe Breece.  
 

 

 

I think Cook and Pacheco’s number should be similar.  The Chiefs are letting it play out as of now and he’s not holding out. 
 

I think that’s what the Bills do with Cook.  
 

Who definitely thinks he should be near what Bijan, Gibbs, Achane, and Beece will eventually get.  

[HappyDays]

Quote

James Cook was not present during the Buffalo Bills’ voluntary offseason workouts. Next up for the team is mandatory minicamp (June 10-12).

 

Will Cook show up? One NFL insider does not expect that to be the case. In a recent episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast, the ESPN insider said he would not be surprised if Cook continued to stay away from the team. According to Schefter, the Bills and Cook remain far apart in their negotiations.

 

“You’ve got a guy who’s unhappy with his contractual situation... (He) has basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city,” Schefter said. “Put his house up for sale... I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon. Again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don’t have a deal done there or by then, does James Cook show up for training camp? Does he risk the penalties that come along in the collective bargaining agreement if he doesn’t show up?”

 

“I don’t believe that these two sides are anywhere close to a deal at this point in time,” Schefter added. “And as we enter a critical season for the Buffalo Bills, James Cook is one of the more important players there. With a deal not on the horizon, that looms as a little storm cloud over the promising season that’s ahead for the Buffalo Bills... I don’t think the two sides are close now and I think this is going to take some time to figure out.”

 

Keep in mind Schefter is a mouthpiece for agents so this is all coming directly from Cook's camp.

 

Doesn't sound like he'll be at mandatory minicamp. I guess I don't really care when he shows up as long as he doesn't pull a Leveon Bell.

[BillsFanForever19]

4 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Keep in mind Schefter is a mouthpiece for agents so this is all coming directly from Cook's camp.

 

Doesn't sound like he'll be at mandatory minicamp. I guess I don't really care when he shows up as long as he doesn't pull a Leveon Bell.

 

I don't think anybody expected him to show up for Mandatory Mini-Camp. I don't even really care if he misses the opening of Training Camp either. So long as he gets in enough time to be ready to roll Week 1.

Edited yesterday at 09:04 PM by BillsFanForever19

[SoMAn]

14 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I don't think anybody expected him to show up for Mandatory Mini-Camp. I don't even really care if he misses the opening of Training Camp.  
 

According to Joel Corry, CBS contract expert, Cook will definitely be at start of training camp, because per the CBA, he will not be eligible as a 4th year vet for free agency if he misses a single day. Will he do one of those ‘hold in’ things where he shows up but doesn’t participate? Who knows? 
If he’s smart, he’ll be there, participate, and play his ass off so he has better leverage as a free agent or be franchised. 

[Don Otreply]

On 6/3/2025 at 3:54 PM, DrDawkinstein said:

 

15 is out of the question... with who? You? The Bills? Because if he repeats his 2024 season, then when he hits the open market he will absolutely get $15M/yr. Maybe more.

“IF” 

the chances of two straight 16TD seasons is not real good, James knows this, the Bills know this, imo, I think a deal around 11 million for x years, blah blah blah, is what this will end up being, 

[BillsFanForever19]

20 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

“IF” 

the chances of two straight 16TD seasons is not real good, James knows this, the Bills know this, imo, I think a deal around 11 million for x years, blah blah blah, is what this will end up being, 

 

It will be more than 11m. Josh Jacobs makes 12. Alvin Kamara turns 30 in a month and he makes 12.5. Derrick Henry is only making 15m bc he'll be 32 years old in the Playoffs this season and has had recurring foot problems. Otherwise he'd be making closer to the 21m Saquon Barkley makes.

 

And that's not taking into account the yearly rise in salary cap that results in the yearly rise in salary's.

 

I assure you, James Cook whether it's here or elsewhere, will be signing for more than 11m per.

Edited 5 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[jahnyc]

I know that the Bills have some leverage with Cook given the way the CBA works, but, given his actions, Cooks seems to want to separate now from the Bills and I have a feeling that he will try to force his way out of Buffalo before the start of the season.  The wild card here is whether any other team will be willing to pay him anywhere near what he is seeking, which seems to increase with every new report.

[Goin Breakdown]

Cook is to this Oline as Diggs was to Josh. Yes they complimented each other BUT are we sure (see what I did there) Cook wasn't who he was last year because of them Oline (and the threat of Josh doing Josh things)? 
Im Not worried about Cook holding out. We've got guys who want to play for a championship caliber team. We'll be good. 

[mikemac2001]

Just now, Goin Breakdown said:

Cook is to this Oline as Diggs was to Josh. Yes they complimented each other BUT are we sure (see what I did there) Cook wasn't who he was last year because of them Oline (and the threat of Josh doing Josh things)? 
Im Not worried about Cook holding out. We've got guys who want to play for a championship caliber team. We'll be good. 

And give up fair compensation. No one is trading for him, paying him and giving the bills value so why would bills trade him for scraps 

 

let him holdout he will show up before the season starts

[BigAl2526]

To refine my thinking:  If Cook shows up for mini-camp, I think the future is pretty much set in stone.  Cook will play out his contract and sigh elsewhere after the season with the highest bidder.  If Cook does not show up at mini-camp, (which I expect to be the case) I think it means the drama will continue.  We'll wonder for a few weeks if he'll come to training camp, and if he doesn't show up at the start of training camp, we'll wonder if he'll come later in training camp, and so on.  I don't think there is any chance he is a Buffalo Bill in the 2026 season.

[Goin Breakdown]

36 minutes ago, mikemac2001 said:

And give up fair compensation. No one is trading for him, paying him and giving the bills value so why would bills trade him for scraps 

 

let him holdout he will show up before the season starts

I'm not claiming to have the solution. Yes I agree let him hold out. I'm not worried. 

[noacls17]

20 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It will be more than 11m. Josh Jacobs makes 12. Alvin Kamara turns 30 in a month and he makes 12.5. Derrick Henry is only making 15m bc he'll be 32 years old in the Playoffs this season and has had recurring foot problems. Otherwise he'd be making closer to the 21m Saquon Barkley makes.

 

And that's not taking into account the yearly rise in salary cap that results in the yearly rise in salary's.

 

I assure you, James Cook whether it's here or elsewhere, will be signing for more than 11m per.

I would take anyone of those backs over cook!

[DrDawkinstein]

23 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

“IF” 

the chances of two straight 16TD seasons is not real good, James knows this, the Bills know this, imo, I think a deal around 11 million for x years, blah blah blah, is what this will end up being, 

 

With all, ALL, due respect... that number is crazy delusional. He's never been at $11M.

 

Our chance to sign Cook in the $12M-$14M range was this offseason. His number is only going up, and is probably a minimum $15M right now after Henry's new deal.

 

I dont buy the rumors that he is looking for $20M, but as we move to next offseason with more RBs up for re-signing and resetting the market, he'll be at a $15M-$17M range at the very least.

 

 

[Don Otreply]

32 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

With all, ALL, due respect... that number is crazy delusional. He's never been at $11M.

 

Our chance to sign Cook in the $12M-$14M range was this offseason. His number is only going up, and is probably a minimum $15M right now after Henry's new deal.

 

I dont buy the rumors that he is looking for $20M, but as we move to next offseason with more RBs up for re-signing and resetting the market, he'll be at a $15M-$17M range at the very least.

 

 

I never alluded to knowing what I was talking about, 🤣

[3rdand12]

5 hours ago, mikemac2001 said:

And give up fair compensation. No one is trading for him, paying him and giving the bills value so why would bills trade him for scraps 

 

let him holdout he will show up before the season starts

and make him the 3rd down back day one   lol

4 hours ago, Goin Breakdown said:

I'm not claiming to have the solution. Yes I agree let him hold out. I'm not worried. 

I will worry for both of us then 😉