Explore why James Cook is the Buffalo Bills’ top trade candidate entering the 2025 NFL training camp amid contract drama.
As the Buffalo Bills gear up for the 2025 NFL training camp, the biggest headline is the contract dispute with star running back James Cook. Despite earning Pro Bowl honors in consecutive seasons and being a key piece of Buffalo’s explosive offense, Cook arrives at camp as the team’s most likely trade candidate—a scenario that could significantly alter the backfield and affect the Bills’ Super Bowl hopes.
The Centerpiece of Buffalo’s Offense and Its Dilemma
James Cook’s rise has been impressive and clear. He’s put together back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, tacking on two more through the air. Averaging nearly five yards per carry, he’s become one of the league’s most explosive and versatile backs. Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Cook is pushing for an extension that would place him among the NFL’s highest-paid running backs—reportedly around $15 million annually.
However, the Bills are in a financial bind, with just $4–5 million in available cap space and much of their payroll tied up in quarterback Josh Allen’s hefty deal. The issue isn’t whether Cook has earned a pay raise—his stats make that case—but whether Buffalo can justify a major investment in a running back given the modern cap landscape.
Tensions between James Cook and the Bills have become increasingly visible. He skipped voluntary OTAs, reportedly put his Buffalo home on the market, and has “disconnected himself from the organization and the city,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Although Cook attended mandatory minicamp, the threat of a training camp holdout still looms if no new deal is reached.
General manager Brandon Beane has admitted there’s a gap in contract talks, and many analysts believe Buffalo is unlikely to meet Cook’s salary demands. The situation is further complicated by the team’s running back-by-committee approach, which includes promising rookie Ray Davis and receiving back Ty Johnson. Head coach Sean McDermott has consistently rotated backs in the past, making it even less likely the team will invest heavily in a single running back.
Why Cook Is the Obvious Trade Candidate
James Cook’s demand for $15 million per year would place him among the NFL’s top-paid running backs—matching Derrick Henry and trailing only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. However, the Bills have made it clear they’re not willing to meet that price, especially given the position’s unpredictability and short career span.
With tight cap space, Buffalo may need to shift resources to more pressing areas like the offensive line or secondary to bolster their playoff push. The presence of rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson offers in-house alternatives, and with the 2025 draft class expected to be one of the strongest for running backs in years, the Bills may find it easier to move on from Cook if needed.
