Bills Running Back Holds Key To 'Worst Case Scenario'
Bills Running Back Holds Key To 'Worst Case Scenario' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Buffalo Bills know they have one of the best offenses in the league. They have a league MVP at quarterback, a great offensive line and quality skill players.
Advertisement
It's one of the big reasons Buffalo is considered a title contender in 2025.
Not everyone is so high on the Bills' offense, though.
Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine broke down a best- and worst-case scenario for the offense next season. In the worst-case scenario, Ballentine described James Cook's contract status as a way to "water down" the offense.
"James Cook had nearly 400 more scrimmage yards than any other player on the offense," Ballentine wrote. "His emergence as a dual-threat running back has been one of the reasons Brandon Beane deserves credit for putting together a supporting cast that works around Allen."
Advertisement
The analyst later explained why not having Cook in the offense could force the Bills to be one-dimensional and rely on Josh Allen even more.
As a contributor to Buffalo's offense, there's an argument to be made that Cook is the group's best player outside of Allen. He led the league in rushing touchdowns last season and has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
He has pushed for a new contract worth over $15 million annually. With just under $5 million in cap space, Buffalo isn't in a position to give him that kind of money.
While Cook did arrive for mandatory minicamp, there's no guarantee that he will show up for training camp in a month. If he chooses to sit out, it will only draw attention to the drama of his contract situation.
Advertisement
According to Ballentine, that is a worst-case scenario moving forward.
Related: Hailee Steinfeld 'Stunned' Bills Josh Allen With Wedding Gown
Related: Bills' Reason For Super Bowl Optimism Has Defensive Flavor
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are a winning pair on date night at Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce looked like quite the power couple as they were spotted on a date night at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The pair was seen holding hands as they arrived at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., on Thursday night to watch the Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers for the coveted trophy. The pop star, 35, looked stylish in an Area Crystal Trim Track Jacket ($995) paired with the matching Crystal Trim Track Shorts ($595). She completed the look with the Prada's Buffalo Neoprene Lace Up Chelsea Ankle Boots, which are currently sold out. Meanwhile Kelce, 35, sported a red long-sleeved top and matching shorts. He finished off his look with a pair of red-and-white sneakers and a baseball cap. Once seated, the lovebirds looked cozy as they were shown on the TV broadcast footage chatting while Kelce showed the 'Cruel Summer' singer something on his phone. Swift sipped on a drink with a straw. At one point, the A-list couple stood up to cheer on the game. They beamed while applauding alongside other spectators. Swift and Kelce have been spending time together in Florida while the tight end rents a $20 million mansion in the Sunshine State to prepare for the forthcoming 2025-26 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs star reportedly snagged the Boca Raton property in April, bringing along his personal chef and his luxurious car collection. Last month, he went viral when he was seen shirtless shortly after wrapping up an intense workout. Swift and Kelce were first spotted in Florida together on a date night at Harry's in West Palm Beach on May 23. At the time, eyewitnesses caught them getting cozy in a booth. They were also photographed holding hands after dining at Buccan restaurant earlier this month.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Washington minority owner Fred Smith dies at 80
Fred Smith, a towering figure in American business, has died. He was 80. While in most contexts he will be remembered first and foremost as the founder of FedEx, Smith had a significant impact on the NFL. Advertisement He was the father of former Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Fred Smith also was a long-time minority owner of the Washington Commanders, and FedEx for many years held the naming rights to the stadium where the team plays. Beyond his company expressly requesting that the team abandon its former nickname in July 2020, Smith's efforts to extricate himself from the team placed significant pressure on former principal owner Daniel Snyder. Along with Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar, Smith worked to find a way out of their partnership with Snyder, culminating in Snyder buying their stakes in the franchise in early 2021. The unrest sparked by Smith and the other minority partners contributed to the focus on the business activities of the franchise as led by Snyder. There is an unmistakable link between the Smith/Rothman/Schar situation and the ultimate ouster of Snyder in 2023. Smith first acquired his interest in the team in 2003. He had attempted to secure an expansion franchise in Memphis in the 1990s, when the Panthers and Jaguars joined the NFL. With Elvis Presley's estate involved in the bid, the team would have been known as the Memphis Hound Dogs.
NBC Sports
22 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Former Washington minority owner Fred Smith dies at 80
Fred Smith, a towering figure in American business, has died. He was 80. While in most contexts he will be remembered first and foremost as the founder of FedEx, Smith had a significant impact on the NFL. He was the father of former Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Fred Smith also was a long-time minority owner of the Washington Commanders, and FedEx for many years held the naming rights to the stadium where the team plays. Beyond his company expressly requesting that the team abandon its former nickname in July 2020, Smith's efforts to extricate himself from the team placed significant pressure on former principal owner Daniel Snyder. Along with Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar, Smith worked to find a way out of their partnership with Snyder, culminating in Snyder buying their stakes in the franchise in early 2021. The unrest sparked by Smith and the other minority partners contributed to the focus on the business activities of the franchise as led by Snyder. There is an unmistakable link between the Smith/Rothman/Schar situation and the ultimate ouster of Snyder in 2023. Smith first acquired his interest in the team in 2003. He had attempted to secure an expansion franchise in Memphis in the 1990s, when the Panthers and Jaguars joined the NFL. With Elvis Presley's estate involved in the bid, the team would have been known as the Memphis Hound Dogs.
