‘Cook wore a white hat, red Bills pullover and blue shorts upon briefly entering the practice field, before ducking into a portable bathroom about 12 minutes before practice was scheduled to start. He then left the field, exiting through the trainer’s tent and did not re-appear during the two-hour session.’
BillsBeat - August 5, 2025
Bills RB James Cook, seeking extension, sits out again
‘Cook briefly appeared at the team’s practice but not in uniform. Instead, he was in workout gear and a beanie. He walked by the outskirt of the field, inside a portable toilet and then went back out towards the team’s locker room. Cook did not appear at practice for the rest of the day.’
Bills GM Brandon Beane speaks on James Cook contract stalemate, hold in: 'I wish we weren't here'
‘It’s no secret that Cook seeks a contract extension. He hinted this offseason while live on Instagram that he’s seeking $15 million per year, which is a number just three NFL running backs make, but did attend mandatory minicamp and training camp because, like Marshawn Lynch, he didn’t want to get fined. It appears Cook wanted to show the organization he wasn’t going to be a distraction, but it’s fair to assume that progress hasn’t been made at the negotiating table, leading him to change course.’
Bills GM Addresses James Cook's Contract-Related Practice Absence
‘”At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here,” Beane said during an appearance on WGR550 on Monday. “This is my ninth season here, we’ve never had a player miss due to a contract or anything like that, so that’s disappointing for me.”‘
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane puts pressure on James Cook
‘“We tried to get something done with Jimbo,” Beane said. “But unfortunately it takes two.”‘
James Cook contract hold-in, explained: Why Bills RB is sitting out of training camp practice in Buffalo
‘With training camp in full swing, running back James Cook appears to have excused himself from practicing as he seeks a resolution for his contract situation in Buffalo. Cook is currently set to enter free agency following the 2025 season and is seeking a new contract before the season begins.’
Hamlin feels more free this season for Bills
‘”I’m just trying to grow my game as a whole,” said Hamlin on Monday following practice at Bills training camp. “Last year I was trying to prove a lot, dealing with the sudden cardiac arrest on the field, and having the world see me as that moment. I felt like I was chasing plays a lot, and felt like I had to make plays so that people can see me as the athlete and what I can truly do on the field, which had me antsy in my game a lot. So coming back around this year, I truly feel like I accomplished that, and that I have peace. I don’t feel any outside world expectations. I’m not worried about trying to get other people’s labels off of me. I’m just locked into allowing the game to come to me, and focusing on my technique and fundamentals.’
With James Cook still out, Ray Davis steps into lead running back role
‘”I just control what I can control, as far as coming out here and doing what I can do,” Davis told reporters after practice on Monday. “It’s kind of a next-man-up mentality for practice. So whoever’s getting reps, me, Ty [Johnson], ‘D-Ev’ [Darrynton Evans], or Frank [Gore Jr.], we’ve got to go out there and keep playing ball and let everything take care of itself.”‘
Beane on Cook's camp 'hold-in': 'Both sides have to agree on what that number is'
‘”At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here,” said Beane on Monday during an appearance on the “Jeremy and Joe Show” on WGR. “This is my ninth season here. We’ve never had a player miss due to a contract or anything like that. So that’s disappointing for me, not something we want, not something we’re looking forward to. But at the end of the day, sometimes it can be the way the world. So we’ll deal with it the best we can”‘
'Hard Knocks' director previews new season as Bills get ready for HBO closeup
‘”We have a full army that is here,” show director and Rochester native Pat Harris told WBEN on Monday. “We have about 35 people on the ground here in Rochester… and then back at [NFL] Films, we have probably 75-to-100 different people that will have their hands on the show in some capacity.”‘
Bills fans looking forward to seeing team in 'Hard Knocks' spotlight
‘”I think the NFL knows the Bills are one of the more exciting teams. HBO recognize that, NFL Films, and it’s great that they’re here,” said John from Gates with WBEN. “Growing up, we always wanted to see the Bills on there. They usually didn’t qualify or they weren’t exciting enough, so very excited to watch this season.”‘
'It's not something we want:' Buffalo Bills running back James Cook continues training camp hold in
‘Cook was spotted at the very beginning of practice, off to the side, wearing street clothes.’
Bills running backs rally around Cook amid contract dispute
‘”He’s a man, he’s handling his business like a man,” said Bills running back Ty Johnson. “He has his way of handling things and I respect him.”‘
Shavers shines even as Bills secondary has strong day
‘It began in 1-on-1s, with Christian Benford, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Tre’Davious White, and rookie Dorian Strong all playing fantastic tight coverage that forced incompletions.’
'Hard Knocks' ready to share inside scoops on all things Buffalo Bills
‘”This first episode we want to introduce, I think the world as well as Bills fans to some of the most iconic players on the team and some of the biggest names. So I think that’s our hope is that people can say for people that don’t know them, they’re going to know. A lot of these big name guys and for the people that already are familiar, they’re going to kind of see a different side of them,” Harris said.’