{"id":238402,"date":"2025-07-01T14:47:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=238402"},"modified":"2025-07-01T14:47:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:47:43","slug":"buffalo-bills-coach-praises-running-back-james-cook-2025-nfl-contract-talks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/07\/01\/buffalo-bills-coach-praises-running-back-james-cook-2025-nfl-contract-talks\/","title":{"rendered":"Bills Coach Praises RB James Cook: ‘Whole Game Came Together’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is seeking a contract extension<\/a> worth in the neighborhood of $15 million annually. General manager Brandon Beane made it clear earlier in the offseason they’ve made no progress<\/a> toward an agreement. It doesn’t appear the stalemate has sullied the relationship, though.<\/p>\n

Kelly Skipper, Cook’s position coach, spoke highly of how the two-time Pro Bowl selection has continued to improve during his three seasons in Buffalo. Those comments came after the 25-year-old Miami native made an appearance at mandatory minicamp. He’d skipped the prior voluntary workouts.<\/p>\n

“I thought the biggest thing to me was he improved his strength,” Skipper told ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg<\/a> about Cook’s 2024 play. “He was able to break more tackles, run physical, so his whole game came together last year.”<\/p>\n

Skipper added: “He has a contract issue and all that stuff going on. That’ll take care of itself. He just wanted to be around his teammates, and he’s happy to be here.”<\/p>\n

Cook’s involvement in minicamp eased concerns he could consider a long-term holdout. Questions will linger until he shows up for training camp, though. The Bills are scheduled<\/a> to open camp July 23 at St. John Fisher University.<\/p>\n

Bills, James Cook on Good Terms Despite Contract Situation<\/h2>\n
\"Kelly
Aug 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running backs coach Kelly Skipper walks the field before a pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Analyzing Cook’s Track Record in Buffalo<\/h3>\n

The University of Georgia product isn’t out of line in requesting a significant pay raise. He’s been one of the NFL’s most productive backs since the Bills selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft.<\/p>\n

Cook has racked up 3,521 yards from scrimmage and 27 total touchdowns across 49 appearances (29 starts) for Buffalo. His 18 trips to the end zone last season were tied with the Baltimore Ravens<\/a>‘ Derrick Henry<\/a> for the league’s second-highest total among non-quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

\n

Every James Cook Touchdown Last Season. pic.twitter.com\/t0sdHhKvAS<\/a><\/p>\n

— BillsMuse (@BillsMusee) March 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n