Why former Georgia RB is in contract dispute with the Buffalo Bills

USA Today

4 hours ago

Former Georgia Bulldog running back James Cook is looking for an extension with the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, the extension talks have sputtered to the point where there's been speculation that Cook might be "holding in" as a non-participant in practices, according to Rory Parks of TradeRumors.
Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills and wants a new deal. There have been many instances of players holding out or holding in until they earn a new contract, but when he reported to the first training camp practice on July 24, it gave indication that Cook would practice.
That changed on Aug. 3. Cook was a non-participant on Sunday's practice, and when asked about why by ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg, he said "business". He kept repeating it on follow-up questions too.
General manager Brandon Beane didn't see Cook's hold-in coming. "Yeah, you know, it's not something we were fully aware of until shortly before practice," Beane said, via The Buffalo News. "So, I get it, I understand it; it's the world we're in, I guess, of how players want to respond and things like that.
"So, you know, at the end of the day, I wish we weren't here," Bean said. "This is my ninth season here, we've never had a player miss due to a contract or anything like that, so that's disappointing for me."
Cook's has an asking price of at least $15M per year, he publicly announced via his Instagram. That would tie him with Derrick Henry for the third-highest average annual value among all NFL running backs. The Bills have already reached long-term deals with quarterback Josh Allen, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, cornerback Christian Benford, edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, and linebacker Terrel Bernard, so they could be looking to save a little on Cook's extension.
Cook wants to be paid what he believes he's worth. He's arguably the second-most important player in the Bills' offense behind quarterback Josh Allen. In the regular season, Cook recorded 1,009 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns and caught 32 passes. In the playoffs, Cook posted over 300 total yards and three touchdowns as he helped the Bills advance to the AFC championship game. He has blossomed at the NFL level, but not every NFL team values the running back position.
Before he became a two-time Pro Bowl running back with the Bills, Cook played for four seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, racking up 1,503 yards and 14 touchdowns on 230 carries. He even caught 67 passes for 730 yards and 6 touchdowns.
His elusive, versatile running style fit in perfectly with the bruising, hard-hitting running style of Zamir White, and it was on full display when both of them rushed for a combined 165 yards on 19 carries against Alabama to win the 2021 national championship.
Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads!