James Cook Skips Start of Bills' Voluntary Workouts amid NFL Contract Rumors

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook hasn't joined his team for the start of OTAs, general manager Brandon Beane said Tuesday.

"Can't tell you when he's definitely coming or not... I mean, it's voluntary," Beane said, per The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia.

Cook, who is currently signed through the 2025 season at a base salary of $5.3 million, is seeking an extension worth $15 million per season, per ESPN.

Beane said it was "not fair" to assume Cook's absence was related to those negotiations.

"He hasn't told me that. Doesn't mean he won't be here next week or the week after. He'll be ready to go," Beane said, per WGR 550's Sal Capaccio.

The Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley and San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey are the only running backs currently signed to contracts worth more than $15 million per season, according to Over the Cap.

Cook made his case to rank among the league's top running backs by tying the Baltimore Ravens' Derrick Henry and Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.

The Bills' voluntary offseason workout program began Monday, with players including newly extended quarterback Josh Allen in attendance.

When asked about Cook on Tuesday, Allen said he knows "James is working out, and getting the work done there too."

"I think the guys in this locker room understand the business side of it... Hopefully that gets figured out, but it'll get figured out when it gets figured out," Allen said (h/t 13WHAM's Mike Catalana.)

OTA offseason workouts are scheduled for May 27-29, June 2-3 and June 5, followed by the start of mandatory minicamp on June 10.

Cook is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season. NBC Sports' Mike Florio noted that holding out completely from his fourth NFL season would make Cook ineligible for free agency until 2026.

Beane said at the NFL owners' meetings in late March that the Bills are focused on this weekend's draft and don't expect to finalize an extension "anytime soon."