Within the past week, the Atlanta Falcons gave superstar running back Bijan Robinson a massive new contract extension that temporarily made him the highest-paid running back in football.
That was followed by the Indianapolis Colts giving their own superstar at the position, Jonathan Taylor, a new contract extension that put him just behind Robinson on the running back pay scale.
That was then followed by Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs getting a contract larger than both of them as well as every other running back in the league.
That all leaves Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, who finished the 2025 season as the NFL’s leading rusher, with a contract that does not even place him among the top-10 in the NFL at the position.
How much longer will he be satisfied with that?
Bills RB James Cook has every reason to ask for another contract
Cook signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Bills prior to the 2025 season, and from the minute he put pen to paper, it looked like a steal of a deal for Buffalo.
It has only managed to get better over the past week as Robinson, Taylor and Gibbs completely reset the market.
At this point, Cook has said nothing publicly to indicate he is unhappy with his deal, and both he and his agent had to know more running backs would be getting new contracts shortly after his deal that would be significantly larger than his.
But did they anticipate this much of a surge? And did they expect his contract to look so small by comparison this quickly?
He still has three years remaining on his current deal, and it is hard to imagine the Bills would have much of an appetite to go through another contract right now, but he could certainly have an interest in exploring it after this season.
Especially if he puts together another huge season in the Buffalo offense.
Cook has become the Bills’ second-most important player on offense after quarterback Josh Allen and has been one of the most complete running backs in the league. Two years ago, he led the league in rushing touchdowns (16). This past season he led the league in yards (1,621). He has topped 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons. Including receptions, he has accounted for 32 total touchdowns over the past two seasons.
By every objective measure, he is one of the most versatile and best running backs in the league. His current contract no longer reflects that. At some point you have to imagine that will change.
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