Two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook and the Buffalo Bills reached agreement on a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday morning.
The deal makes Cook the seventh highest-paid running back in the NFL based on new money per season.
The news comes one day after Cook opted to participate in practice for the first time since he informed the team of plans to sit out as part of a “business” decision tied to his expiring contract.
“James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill,” Cook’s agent Zac Hiller said, per ESPN. “We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen.”
Head coach Sean McDermott noted before Tuesday’s morning practice that things had changed with the Cook-Bills situation, but didn’t elaborate or provide context to his statement.
Cook, 25, had 16 rushing touchdowns and scored in 12 of the Bills’ 17 regular-season games in 2024.
He has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven scores in 49 games since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
Cook dressed but did not play in the preseason opener last week, a 34-25 loss to the New York Giants. In his absence, the Bills turned to Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Frank Gore Jr. put up 50 receiving yards on a team-best five receptions and had 21 rushing yards.
–Field Level Media
