Bills' James Cook says he wants to get paid what he deserves

USA Today

25-02-2025

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook recently joined the Nightcap Podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson to discuss some of his latest social media posts, in which he suggests he wants a big pay raise.
Cook first hinted at wanting to be paid $15 million per year on Instagram following the season and mentioned it again on X shortly after.
If Cook received the $15M salary that he is asking for, it would instantly make him the NFL's second-highest-paid running back behind San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey ($16M).
While Cook may not be deserving of being a top-two paid running back in the league, his play in 2024 definitely warrants a pay raise. In 16 games, he rushed for 1,009 yards, was tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (16), and averaged an impressive 4.9 yards per carry. On top of that, he caught 32 of 38 passes for 258 yards and two more scores.
Cook and quarterback Josh Allen make a dangerous combination in the Bills backfield. Although the Bills have Ray Davis who will be entering year two, and they could bring back Ty Johnson, neither have the talent that Cook possesses.
He took his game up a notch this past year, evidenced by combining his slashing, make-you-miss playstyle with a bruising, hard-nosed approach. In recent years, Cook would struggle to gain tough yards after contact and around the goal line, and in 2024 he was reliable in those instances. He showcased his contact strength in the AFC championship game, fighting through tackles to extend the ball past the goal line on a crucial fourth down.
So, Cook has a valid argument. He outplayed his 2024 cap hit of just over $1.5M. He is due a little over $5.6M in 2025 which would be the last year of his rookie deal, and he is most likely worth more than that as well.
Starting with a high number is the oldest trick in the book when it comes to negotiating, and $15M is definitely a high number. If the Bills and Cook can agree to an extension, that cap number will most likely land somewhere in between the $5.6M he's due in 2025 and the $15M that he's asking for. What that number will be remains to be seen.
Check out what Cook had to say when asked by Sharpe and Johnson to comment on his recent posts on social media:
The man said what he said, pay him what he deserves. PERIOD.
'We worked all our life to get the big bucks .. I don't wanna feel like a cancer .. I'm just standing on business, man, for what I deserve' – @thegreat__4@ShannonSharpe @ochocinco @ShayShayMedia_ pic.twitter.com/DKtLJvfuF7
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) February 21, 2025