So how does this Cook's "hold-in" end gracefully (if there is no extension)?

[PetermansRedemption]

Does Cook even have any trade value at this point? Has there been any recent trades of RB’s looking for a massive contract extension? 

[TheBrownBear]

43 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

He comes back with a rotten attitude.  

 

The vast majority of the Bills, in my dealings with them and from what I hear from people who deal with them regularly, are good, kind people who just want to earn a living and live a relatively quiet and decent life.  I say “vast majority” because Ed Oliver and James Cook are on the team.  Knowing what I know about Cook (nothing sinister about either one, more personality, selfishness, and stupidity-driven), I have a hard time believing this administration is going to break the bank to pay him.  Maybe he gets a relatively short term, fair deal.  But I will be surprised if he gets top of market from these guys.  

I know nothing about the guy except what the public sees on the field, interviews and social media, so I'm not going to cast aspersions, but it does seem like Beane and McDermott have never really gone out of their way to praise Cook as an important locker room guy or leader in any way, which makes me believe you're on to something.

 

Edited August 6 by TheBrownBear

[Low Positive]

Ja’Marr Chase held in all camp last year and played week 1. I expect the same to happen here.

[Captain Hindsight]

17 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

I know nothing about the guy except what the public sees on the field, interviews and social media, so I'm not going to cast aspersions, but it does seem like Beane and McDermott have never really gone out of their way to praise Cook as an important locker room guy or leader in any way, which makes me believe you're on to something.

 

Yup. The FO and coaching staff want this deal to get done. The only people hurt by Cook's words are the fans 

[DrDawkinstein]

He'll either sign an extension or return by week 1. There is no holding out.

[Mister Defense]

24 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

I know nothing about the guy except what the public sees on the field, interviews and social media, so I'm not going to cast aspersions, but it does seem like Beane and McDermott have never really gone out of their way to praise Cook as an important locker room guy or leader in any way, which makes me believe you're on to something.

 

 

Well, I think they both have said what a great teammate Cook is, and how hard working, and beloved by the team.  And by them, I believe.

 

To me, in addition to his skill set, what he shows his teammates in practice and in games, those things indicate he is an important locker room guy and leader.

 

 

[DrDawkinstein]

26 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

I know nothing about the guy except what the public sees on the field, interviews and social media, so I'm not going to cast aspersions, but it does seem like Beane and McDermott have never really gone out of their way to praise Cook as an important locker room guy or leader in any way, which makes me believe you're on to something.

 

 

Not every guy needs to be a "leader". Cant have 53 leaders anyways. Too many Cooks in the kitchen (pun intended).

 

The team and Offense have their leader. Josh. All they need after that is talent, and Cook has piles of it.

 

Beane did go out of his way TWICE in the recent Catalano interview to praise Cook. Even had to catch himself going on a Cook-loving tangent when answering a question about Shakir.

 

 

[bigK14094]

Bad situation.  Bills can't pay him the full market price.  Paying Josh has its consequences.  HE may well sit until week 10, and get to free agency.  A plausible outcome.  The Bills have other backs, and he would not, then, have a fancy set of  25 stats to hit the market with.  I, for one, like this rb by committee.  Lets do 1/3 each and let the chips fall where they may.  Cook demanding more playing time sounds like Diggs, even though he is supposedly of good character.  His brother coaching him on this I think, and that means he is likely gone, one way or the other.  So be it, we have our QB, and will do what we do with the tools at hand.

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, bigK14094 said:

Bad situation.  Bills can't pay him the full market price.  Paying Josh has its consequences.  HE may well sit until week 10, and get to free agency.  A plausible outcome.  The Bills have other backs, and he would not, then, have a fancy set of  25 stats to hit the market with.  I, for one, like this rb by committee.  Lets do 1/3 each and let the chips fall where they may.  Cook demanding more playing time sounds like Diggs, even though he is supposedly of good character.  His brother coaching him on this I think, and that means he is likely gone, one way or the other.  So be it, we have our QB, and will do what we do with the tools at hand.

 

Cook is their 2nd best player on offense. Not having him out there is a major blow to the offense. Allen can't get this team to the Super Bowl by himself. He needs help and Cook gives him that help on the offensive side of the ball. He even becomes more important to the Bills offense when you consider the receiving group is average at best.

[Bray Wyatt]

I chose with a contract because I believe this deal gets done before the season starts. If not, he will def be playing week 1

[Captain_Quint]

Look for the new contract in September is my guess. 

[Mikie2times]

Such wild takes here with people predicting this elongated hold out. Predicting something that virtually never happens. 

[Mister Defense]

4 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

Cook is their 2nd best player on offense. Not having him out there is a major blow to the offense. Allen can't get this team to the Super Bowl by himself. He needs help and Cook gives him that help on the offensive side of the ball. He even becomes more important to the Bills offense when you consider the receiving group is average at best.

 

I think most of the arguments against Cook, the 'let him walk' group, misses this fundamental point.

 

This is a much different offense last year without Cook, and to me much less likely Josh wins the MVP. 

 

They had a undermanned defense, in transition, and without the dynamic offense, the superb balance--first time ever a team scores 30 rushing and passing TDS in a season--hard to imagine the Bills being a legitimate contender, making the championship game.  (And a little more Cook that day, despite the significant defensive injuries, and these are likely moot questions..)

 

This year it will take the defense some time to improve, jell, so that  dynamic run/pass offense will be vital again.  And the same can be said for games in January and February, against the best teams in the league. That balance was why 3/4 of the championship teams were playing that day, what separated them from the other teams.  And without that, the Chiefs were exposed two weeks later.

 

That balance makes Josh Allen and this offense great.  And it will help to make the young defense great too.

 

Complimentary football, all the way around.  And Cook is a vital part of that.

 

 

[cd1]

Unfortunately, this public spectacle of cornering Beane for a big payday is fool hardy. 

IF Bean caves to Cook's demands it will only set a very bad example to the rest of the team.

 

Bean would be a fool to allow that to happen, even if he was tempted just to keep Cook on the team. PLUS, once Cook gets his payday, it will only be a year or so before he starts threatening to hold out/in for an even bigger payday.

 

That is why you "don't negotiate with hostage takers".

 

OMHO

[Scott7975]

My guess is either a contract gets done or if it doesn't he is back in week 1. I don't think he will miss any games. He needs to come to terms that he is not the best running back in the league. He is not even the second best running back in the league. Probably not even the third. He isn't worth 15mil.

[Ya Digg?]

3 hours ago, Virgil said:

I would love to see the Bills "leak" their offer.  If it's close to the Williams offer, Cook and his agent will easily lose the court of public opinion.

It’s a player in a contract situation, they never win the court of public opinion. Just read through the Cook threads now-so many people diminishing his value, calling him selfish, overrated, etc

[Cheektowaga Chad]

If no extension is in place, the hold out/in will end as soon as game planning starts for week 1

[Sojourner]

1 hour ago, PetermansRedemption said:

Does Cook even have any trade value at this point? Has there been any recent trades of RB’s looking for a massive contract extension? 

Every starter has trade value. Especially one of Cook’s quality. No significant trades have been done regarding that position. They all played their final year then signed elsewhere; Saquon, Jacobs, Henry, Aaron Jones and Mixon to name a few. 

Hopefully he plays and an extension gets done.

If he isn’t going to play, trade him and the next man up. 

Edited August 6 by Sojourner

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

1 hour ago, PetermansRedemption said:

Does Cook even have any trade value at this point? Has there been any recent trades of RB’s looking for a massive contract extension? 

 

He wasn't looking for a massive contract, but D'Andre Swift is a decent comparison.

 

In 2023 he was entering the 4th year on his rookie contract and the Lions traded him to the Eagles for a 4th round pick. 

 

I think we could maybe trade Cook for a 3rd

[Mikie2times]

3 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

 

He wasn't looking for a massive contract, but D'Andre Swift is a decent comparison.

 

In 2023 he was entering the 4th year on his rookie contract and the Lions traded him to the Eagles for a 4th round pick. 

 

I think we could maybe trade Cook for a 3rd

Huh?

 

 

Swift

 

 

Cook