Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl working again James Cook, who’s in search of a contract extension, goes to proceed to push for a brand new deal regardless of being a full participant in coaching camp. While chatting with reporters in the present day, Cook opened by explaining the monetary motivations to indicate up for apply.
“It’s my job, ? I acquired to take part so I gained’t get fined,” he said. “Just come out right here, and simply present them that I’m able to go and earn what I acquired to go get.”
While different NFL stars like Trey Hendrickson and Terry McLaurin are staging holdouts within the hopes of receiving contract extensions, that thought by no means went by means of Cook’s thoughts.
“I didn’t actually give it some thought. I simply knew I used to be going to come back out right here and work,” he acknowledged. “I don’t owe it to no person however my teammates and myself and my household. So, by me taking part, [I’m] exhibiting my teammates that I really like the sport, and I’m prepared to be out right here.”
It additionally doesn’t harm that exhibiting up for coaching camp might create extra goodwill between Cook and the Bills.
“It offers me a bit of leverage,” he defined. “Show them that I care about it and that I’m prepared to do it and prepared to come back out right here and take part and present my teammates that I’m prepared to be out right here and compete with them guys.”
Cook admitted that the need to obtain a contract extension offers him with additional motivation to proceed to construct on back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.
“We have talks. I’m by no means going to surrender,” he stated confidently. “I imply, I deserve what I need, [what] I would like, and it’s going to finally occur.”
Cook stated that his teammates have his again in these negotiations. They have been “very supportive” all through this course of.
“I don’t actually discuss to them about issues like that, however I simply sort of like not need to deliver that as much as the crew and be a distraction,” Cook defined. “So, I simply sort of keep to myself and simply let my brokers and people guys work issues out.”
He finally stated one thing considerably regarding for Bills followers.
“I imply, nevertheless it’s taking place, it’s going to get carried out, wherever it occurs at,” Cook clarified.
“When James got here in for the necessary camp, we spoke,” general manager Brandon Beane told reporters yesterday. “We’ve at all times had a very good relationship. And – as I’ve stated all alongside – I really like James Cook… I need to draft, develop, [and] re-sign our personal.”
As good as which may sound, there are choices that Beane and the Bills must make to make sure they will signal Cook and nonetheless have the funds for so as to add different gamers in-season and subsequent low season.
“It is a enterprise. We have to suit it in, not solely money, however cap,” Beane defined. “We even have to take a look at ’26, ’27, and past as a result of you’ll be able to stroll your self into a type of years the place you’re like, ‘Oh man, there’s not plenty of guys we are able to take down.’ We must commerce or reduce somebody that we wouldn’t need to lose. So, it’s not solely 2025 after we’re doing a take care of him or another participant. All these issues should make sense for us to suit it in.”
The excellent news is that Brandon Beane goes to be clear with gamers on the Bills’ roster concerning contract negotiations.
“I believe everybody is aware of I’m going to have an open dialogue with the gamers,” he stated. “That’s simply who I’m. And, we’ll let the enterprise maintain itself.”
Either means, it appears like James Cook desires to proceed his NFL profession with the Buffalo Bills. He stated that the “quarterback and the followers” are two of the most important explanation why he desires to stay in Buffalo.
“It’s an excellent group,” Cook stated. “They drafted me for a motive, I really feel like. I’m prepared to be right here and spend the remainder of my profession right here.”
