Will 2025 Be James Cook's Final Year With Bills?

The contract situation with James Cook and the Buffalo Bills shows no signs of resolution, at least for now, with the running back seeking a new deal worth roughly $15 million APY.

That is problematic, as Buffalo only has $100,700 in cap space, and the Bills have already re-signed a host of key players, yet Cook was left out.

Now, as attention turns to 2025, Cook will need to continue his good form, which has seen him surpass 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons, along with a whopping 16 rushing touchdowns last year, tying the franchise record.

But as The Athletic's Jacob Robinson asks, will this be James' final year in Buffalo?

"There’s more to this group than James Cook’s potential hold-in, as sophomore Ray Davis showed a three-down skillset that Buffalo seems to think Cook lacks (Cook played 47 percent of snaps in 2024, splitting time with Davis and Ty Johnson)," Robinson writes. "When Cook missed Week 6, Davis took 23 touches for 152 yards.

"Given the 26-year-old Cook’s role and GM Brandon Beane’s history — he’s never offered a rookie-contract runner an extension — I’m skeptical we see a long-term deal, meaning Buffalo should give Davis more opportunities in 2025."

Could Cook see his snaps decrease with Ray Davis getting more carries? We struggle to see that, given how close the Bills are to a Super Bowl.

Training camp will be the next checkpoint in Cook's negotiations with Buffalo and if something can be agreed upon, but the salary cap situation, for us, means it would take some serious wheeling and dealing from general manager Brandon Beane to open up enough cap space to get a deal done.

If not, the dynamics of James playing on the final year of his deal, with Ray Davis looking to make an impression to potentially take over next season, will be an interesting watch. ... and yes, the hints are in place.

For some, the Bills can't win the Super Bowl without Cook in the backfield, and if things go south this year, beyond 2025, that might be a reality.