Buffalo Bills running back James Cook hasn't, and maybe won't, get his new contract with the franchise this season …
Surely much to his dislike.
With Cook set to play on the final year of his rookie deal, he will have to wait before he can put pen to paper after the Bills struck deals with several key players this offseason already.
As Cook was absent for the start of the Bills' voluntary offseason workouts, some thought that the two-time Pro Bowler might try to force a move away this offseason.
But when speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, general manager Brandon Beane stated Cook will be a Bill in 2025.
"Yes, he will be here this year, and hopefully beyond," Beane said. "We're focused on this season but yes, for 2025 we'll have all three backs. And again, we love James. We would love nothing more than to keep him here longer term. The immediate point right now is we got all three guys including him back for this season."
So that settles Cook's future in 2025, and the fact that Beane has stated that hopefully James will be around after this season signals that the franchise seems intent on at least trying to come to terms on new deal.
Exactly what that will look like is unknown, given Cook reportedly wants roughly $15 million APY, but there is a clear desire to keep James as a Bill.
Whether he shares the same hope as the Bills is unknown, but Cook will be looking to prove that he deserves a new contract in 2025 by dominating on the field as he has the past two seasons.
And if you have hope, then at least you have something to cling to, and right now, that's all James has regarding his long-term future in Buffalo.
