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

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

45 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.

But running back is the least important skill position and the drop off from Cook to the other backs isn't that large. 

[frostbitmic]

If he holds out all season will the Bills gift him a Super Bowl ring ?  

 

J/K ... He'll be back week #1 for his 300K game check.

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

Just now, Mikie2times said:

Huh?

 

 

Swift

 

 

Cook

 

 

Cook is clearly a tier above Swift.

 

Swift was the only RB trade I could find the past couple years that's even remotely comparable. 

 

Cook would go for more in a trade, but how much more? I think with the holdout a 3rd rd pick is reasonable. Maybe a 2nd if we're lucky 

 

 

[Mister Defense]

Just now, 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

 

We drafted James Cook in the 2nd round, just three years ago...

 

And he has surpassed expectations, becoming one of the best running backs in the league, with two excellent years.  And underutilized last year, needed more touches.

 

And it's very clear he is an ascending player, seemed to get better with every game last year.  So the best is yet to come. He should have a monster year this year in Buffalo.

 

And the Bills spent three years helping him develop into a top of the line NFL starting running back. I wonder how many man hours that adds up to.

 

So, you think we can maybe get a 3rd  round pick for James Cook? Do you think that is a good trade for the Bills?  I do not.

 

 

 

 

[Doc Brown]

17 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

Cook is a lot better than Swift but that looking for a massive contract part is huge.  I doubt any team would be willing to give up a day two pick and then overpay for a very good but not elite RB.  That's under the assumption that Cook is asking for more than he's worth.  He either takes a fair market extension from Beane or this is his last year here imo.  We could get one more year with Cook in his prime and then get a 3rd or 4th round comp pick next year if he signs elsewhere.  He's not going to hold out and forfeit $5m unless he's fricken crazy.

[longtimebillsfan]

3 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

I think if a deal isn't done but week 1 (and unless he buckles I don't think it will) he will reluctantly come back for the season opener. 

 

That's where it's gonna get real nasty. He will push too fast too soon, not be in football shape and end up with a soft tissue injury. And he will take his time coming back from it. 

 

I see a very legitimate path to him ending up on IR and missing a bunch of weeks. No new deal ..no reason to rush back will be his thought. All in all I expect him, if this extends to week 1, to miss more games than Joey Bosa. He will end the season and his Bills tenure on a down note and head to free agency. And he won't find the deal he's looking for there either. 

This makes a lot of sense.

[Bad Things]

God, I hate all this contract BS. 

[Mikie2times]

6 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

I think if a deal isn't done but week 1 (and unless he buckles I don't think it will) he will reluctantly come back for the season opener. 

 

That's where it's gonna get real nasty. He will push too fast too soon, not be in football shape and end up with a soft tissue injury. And he will take his time coming back from it. 

 

I see a very legitimate path to him ending up on IR and missing a bunch of weeks. No new deal ..no reason to rush back will be his thought. All in all I expect him, if this extends to week 1, to miss more games than Joey Bosa. He will end the season and his Bills tenure on a down note and head to free agency. And he won't find the deal he's looking for there either. 

I think an injury is possible as you call out. I don't think what you describe happening after is likely. He still needs to secure the contract. Anything that puts his talent in question will cost him millions.

Edited August 7 by Mikie2times

[TBBills Fan]

2 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

We drafted James Cook in the 2nd round, just three years ago...

 

And he has surpassed expectations, becoming one of the best running backs in the league, with two excellent years.  And underutilized last year, needed more touches.

 

And it's very clear he is an ascending player, seemed to get better with every game last year.  So the best is yet to come. He should have a monster year this year in Buffalo.

 

And the Bills spent three years helping him develop into a top of the line NFL starting running back. I wonder how many man hours that adds up to.

 

So, you think we can maybe get a 3rd  round pick for James Cook? Do you think that is a good trade for the Bills?  I do not.

 

 

 

 

I don't get how everyone is so confident the bills could plug in play someone else for Cook and have no concern in a drop off. 

 

It's not like he had the most touches of anyone not named Josh Allen and the most touchdowns on the bills of anyone not named Josh Allen. 

[Mister Defense]

6 minutes ago, TBBills Fan said:

I don't get how everyone is so confident the bills could plug in play someone else for Cook and have no concern in a drop off. 

 

It's not like he had the most touches of anyone not named Josh Allen and the most touchdowns on the bills of anyone not named Josh Allen. 

 

I don't  know if this is accurate, but I would assume it is, at least in general: those who think that are likely those who do not think the running game is all that important. And so not a big concern who the Bills plug in there.

 

Recall the uproar on here a few years ago related to the concept of 'complimentary football' related to the running game complimenting and improving the passing game and visa versa.  We have a generational talent at QB, they reasoned, the running game is not that big of a deal...

 

A generalization, but maybe it is the same mindset, and the same folks overall.

 

They ignore the fact the Allen led Bills do much better, consistently, when they change and commit more to the run. 

 

Dorsey had that same mindset, de valued the running game.  The Bills were one dimensional, striking no fear with their after thought of a running game. This was  an important reason he was fired.

 

Brady's Bills featured the run and became a scary offense again, shortly, and got better and better and better, with the running game leading the way.

 

Run, run, and run this year, become the best in the league, and throw to the backs too.  That is how the Bills win it all.

 

 

 

 

[offyourocker]

I really don’t want him on the team long term.  The way he is handling this situation is poor.  He is hurting himself and the team.  His demands are not reasonable.   I would prefer giving the opportunity to a guy like Davis that will be a lot more thankful for it.  

[BillsFan130]

46 minutes ago, TBBills Fan said:

I don't get how everyone is so confident the bills could plug in play someone else for Cook and have no concern in a drop off. 

 

It's not like he had the most touches of anyone not named Josh Allen and the most touchdowns on the bills of anyone not named Josh Allen. 

In the one game that Cook missed, Ray Davis had 150 scrimmage yards.

 

Now, I am not saying Davis is as good as Jimmy.

 

But Josh and the O line move the needle for this offence, and I would be confident the drop off wouldn't be massive assuming we spend a day two pick on a RB next year, combined with Ray and Ty.

Edited August 7 by BillsFan130

[Thurman#1]

6 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

I really hope you are wrong and that Beane is better than that.

 

If I were Cook I would do what he is doing--one slip up on the field, one foot planted in the turf, can mean he is a much lesser player--or the end of his career.  And the money he is destined to make in the future, deserves, all up in smoke. Gone forever.

 

If you are right, and Beane is taking this personally, thinking in terms of himself vs. Cook, then the deal may not got done.

 

If Beane is a bigger man than that, he gets this done and now, and stops making one of his best players, maybe the 2nd best player on the team, having to worry about his every move.

 

And if the coaching staff thinks they may lose Cook this summer, they should be losing sleep. He is the Bills' best weapon, a player who can break off a long, game changing run or pass or touchdown every time he touches the ball.

 

The Bills have been looking for a game changing weapon like Cook at the running back position since McBeane arrived. He is here. 

 

 

 

This isn't on Beane. It just isn't.

 

Beane is not the one holding in. Cook is.

 

Beane has made an offer he thinks is reasonable. Beane knows that Cook doesn't want to miss game checks.

 

He's handling this just right.

 

Yes, Cook is a weapon, and yes the team is better with him than without him. But they're still really really good without him. He missed the Jets game and they ran just fine without him. And the Jets were a very good D last year. On the other hand, in the two games Shakir missed, we looked bad on offense. Quite bad.

 

But they're almost certainly not going to be without him, not until next year anyway.

 

If Beane's offer is less than we think, if he only offered $8 or $9M, then yeah, this is on Beane. But unwillingness to be held hostage is part of being a good businessman and a good GM. And I don't think too many of us think the Bills offer was that low. If it really was, Cook would be well-served by having his agent go public with it. But my guess is the offer was in the Kyren Williams area and Cook would get no sympathy if he did go public.

 

 

Edited August 7 by Thurman#1

[TBBills Fan]

59 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

 

I don't  know if this is accurate, but I would assume it is, at least in general: those who think that are likely those who do not think the running game is all that important. And so not a big concern who the Bills plug in there.

 

Recall the uproar on here a few years ago related to the concept of 'complimentary football' related to the running game complimenting and improving the passing game and visa versa.  We have a generational talent at QB, they reasoned, the running game is not that big of a deal...

 

A generalization, but maybe it is the same mindset, and the same folks overall.

 

They ignore the fact the Allen led Bills do much better, consistently, when they change and commit more to the run. 

 

Dorsey had that same mindset, de valued the running game.  The Bills were one dimensional, striking no fear with their after thought of a running game. This was  an important reason he was fired.

 

Brady's Bills featured the run and became a scary offense again, shortly, and got better and better and better, with the running game leading the way.

 

Run, run, and run this year, become the best in the league, and throw to the backs too.  That is how the Bills win it all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They ignore the fact the Allen led Bills do much better, consistently, when they change and commit more to the run.

 

I agree with everything you said. The quote above from you I took out because I feel like this should be obvious if you have watched this team throughout Josh career

36 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

In the one game that Cook missed, Ray Davis had 150 scrimmage yards.

 

Now, I am not saying Davis is as good as Jimmy.

 

But Josh and the O line move the needle for this offence, and I would be confident the drop off wouldn't be massive assuming we spend a day two pick on a RB next year, combined with Ray and Ty.

One game is one situation. Thats not nearly enough sample size to say that confidently.  

 

The rivalry, place both teams were, teammates rallying behind a let's beat them up game plan led to that.  That's not replica table. So, I can't really use that one game to confidently say hey, no worries just plug option 2 in. He's going. Looked decent in his role. 

[The Cincinnati Kid]

I think there is a date circled on the calendar for Beane to give Cook and his reps the opportunity to seek a trade and subsequent new contract. If they get the $15 million/year and compensation that Beane is comfortable with then he is traded. What will most likely happen is teams will tell Cook they trade 3rdish rounder and pay him $11 million/year like Kyren Williams got. Then Cook and his team have their answer. His market value is around $11 million/year, which is probably Buffalo’s offer.

[Mister Defense]

4 hours ago, Bob Chandler's Hands said:

But running back is the least important skill position and the drop off from Cook to the other backs isn't that large. 

 

Sorry, that is just nonsense, a cliche that cannot be supported in any way.

 

Just because a bunch of people say crap like that, and repeat it over and over, in no way does that make it accurate, true.

 

Do you think the Eagles think that? The Ravens? The Lions? The Packers? The Falcons? The Bills? If what you say in bold is correct, then it is just a coincidence, incidental, that almost all the true NFL contenders last year had excellent running games and running backs. I think each of those teams would likely disagree with your assessment, laugh at the thought of it even. In fact, most of the playoff teams from last year would do the same. Instead most would say their running backs were a seminal reason for their success, vital to it.

 

I can say tight end is less important, or left guard, left tackle, outside linebacker, free safety, the #1 wideout or.......................................................................

 

But it doesn't make it right, accurate, just because I say it, and even if a slew of others parrot my silly comment.

 

But then again, the 2nd point in your sentence is just as nonsensical,  Just  saying something, as emphatically as you like, does not mean it is true.

 

Who says the drop off from Cook is not 'that large'? Not me, and not most.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 7 by Mister Defense

[NoSaint]

8 hours ago, JP51 said:

I dont think this ends gracefully unless he signs a contract before week 1 ... If not I think it ends in week 10 acrimoniously I really feel like he is dug in and honestly not gonna work out well for anyone...  but yet I also have hope that this sit in is because we are close to a contract and he is looking to get them to move... but if that doesnt happen... I think this gets ugly... 

 

id be surprised if he misses games 

 

honestly also surprised if he gets top tier elite money or a deal that keeps him long term

 

which means he either plays as is… or with some sort of very short bridge deal

 

think 2 years, shade over 2025 salary plus tag year, modest incentives and no tag clause. Tags 13.6m, salary is 5.2m… that’s 18.6m…. Bar napkin 2 year, 20m, lots of cash up front, some incentives that are achievable to add enough to be at/around kyren dollars if he performs and tag is out the window at the end.
 

Bills put to bed any distractions by sweetening slightly, and reward performance still — cook gets cash early, upside potential and a clear path to free agency. It’s not thrilling for anyone, but neither side deals with worst case scenarios.

[BillsFan130]

28 minutes ago, TBBills Fan said:

 

 

They ignore the fact the Allen led Bills do much better, consistently, when they change and commit more to the run.

 

I agree with everything you said. The quote above from you I took out because I feel like this should be obvious if you have watched this team throughout Josh career

One game is one situation. Thats not nearly enough sample size to say that confidently.  

 

The rivalry, place both teams were, teammates rallying behind a let's beat them up game plan led to that.  That's not replica table. So, I can't really use that one game to confidently say hey, no worries just plug option 2 in. He's going. Looked decent in his role. 

The one game doesn't necessarily give me the confidence. Josh and the O line does. You said there would be a massive drop off without cook, and I was just using that one game as a small example that they were fine. 

 

A RB will never move the needle, unless you're a freak like Barkley or Henry.

 

And even still... Barkley was a beast in NY when healthy, but it didn't matter cause the giants had a horrible o line and QB

[JP51]

6 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

 

id be surprised if he misses games 

 

honestly also surprised if he gets top tier elite money or a deal that keeps him long term

 

which means he either plays as is… or with some sort of very short bridge deal

 

think 2 years, shade over 2025 salary plus tag year, modest incentives and no tag clause. Tags 13.6m, salary is 5.2m… that’s 18.6m…. Bar napkin 2 year, 20m, lots of cash up front, some incentives that are achievable to add enough to be at/around kyren dollars if he performs and tag is out the window at the end.
 

Bills put to bed any distractions by sweetening slightly, and reward performance still — cook gets cash early, upside potential and a clear path to free agency. It’s not thrilling for anyone, but neither side deals with worst case scenarios.

I think with the contract of the Rams RB a deal gets done before the season with a fairly good probability...  And it won't be what Cook wants... that said if he isn't gonna be reasonable and sticks to his 15mm to i have heard 17mm this is gonna drag on till game 10 and get dicey that's my view. Cause he ain't getting no 17mm or 15mm for that matter 11 or 12mm is where I think he slots it... again just my opinion 

[Thurman#1]

51 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

 

Sorry, that is just nonsense, a cliche that cannot be supported in any way.

 

Just because a bunch of people say crap like that, and repeat it over and over, in no way does that make it accurate, true.

 

Do you think the Eagles think that? The Ravens? The Lions? The Packers? The Falcons? The Bills? If what you say in bold is correct, then it is just a coincidence, incidental, that all the true NFL contenders last year had excellent running games and running backs. I think each of those teams would likely disagree with your assessment, laugh at the thought of it even. In fact, most of the playoff teams from last year would do the same. Instead most would say their running backs were a seminal reason for their success, vital to it.

 

I can say tight end is less important, or left guard, left tackle, outside linebacker, free safety, the #1 wideout or.......................................................................

 

But it doesn't make it right, accurate, just because I say it, and even if a slew of others parrot my silly comment.

 

But then again, the 2nd point in your sentence is just as nonsensical,  Just  saying something, as emphatically as you like, does not mean it is true.

 

Who says the drop off from Cook is not 'that large'? Not me, and not most.

 

 

 

That "But running back is the least important skill position," can't be supported in any way? That's nonsense. It's supported in the most telling way.

 

How much are WRs paid? How much are RBs paid? 

 

Wanna know how the NFL values positions? It's not difficult to figure. Check the salaries. It's not a mistake that QBs make the most and long snappers the least.

 

Even TEs are paid more than RBs, though not by that much. Eleven TEs make $12M or over. Fifteen make $10M or over.

 

Do the Eagles think that running back is the least important skill position? Well, they pay Sequin around $20M AAV. That's a lot of simoleons. But not as many as they pay AJ Brown. Around $32M if I remember correctly. So yeah, the Eagles do think WR is more important than RB.

 

The whole league does.

 

 

Edited August 7 by Thurman#1