RB Cook Skips Bills’ Practice: What ‘Just Business’ Really Means for His Future

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook showed up at St. John Fisher University recently, but he sat out of practice for the first time since asking for a contract extension this offseason.

When reporters asked why he didn’t participate, Cook was vague. “Oh, nothing. Business,” he replied. He kept it simple when pressed about whether he chose not to practice or if he was holding out. “Business,” he repeated, leaving many questions unanswered.

The Bills’ management kept quiet when asked about Cook’s absence. His agent also didn’t respond. Interestingly, Cook was not listed among the injured players before practice, meaning his absence wasn’t due to an injury.

He was spotted on the sidelines, wearing a Bills sweatshirt and a beanie with his number on it. At one point, he even hopped on an exercise bike with teammates who were injured. When asked how he felt about the “business” side of things, he again fell back on the same phrase: “Just business.”

The contract negotiations have been ongoing since Cook indicated he wanted to be paid like one of the NFL’s top running backs. Despite this, he participated fully in training camp leading up to this practice. In fact, he only missed the team’s voluntary offseason activities and was involved in the mandatory minicamp.

Historically, negotiations like Cook’s are common in the NFL, where player salaries often create tension. In this case, three other players from the Bills’ 2022 draft class—Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, and Christian Benford—received extensions earlier this offseason.

On the field, Cook plays a key role as the Bills’ leading running back. Last season, he played slightly over 45% of offensive snaps, often sharing duties with Ty Johnson and Ray Davis. He has accumulated 2,638 rushing yards, the most of any player from the 2022 draft class, and tied a franchise record with 16 rushing touchdowns last year.

General Manager Brandon Beane expressed hope that negotiations would lead to a resolution. “Sometimes you can’t get on the same page. But I can tell you, I’m hopeful that James Cook is out there practicing and representing the red, white, and blue next year,” he said.

Navigating contract demands is tough in the NFL. Player satisfaction and financial realities often clash, leading to scenarios like Cook’s. As the Bills prepare for the season, fans will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.



Source link