The Buffalo Bills are working overtime to finally get past Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, when everything matters most. Earlier this offseason, star quarterback Josh Allen even admitted that making the Super Bowl was the only thing he really cared about at this point in his career.
Having so much on the line made the contract negotiations between running back James Cook and the franchise all the more strenuous. Bills general manager Brandon Beane even voiced his disappointment with Cook’s decision to opt out.
“Bills GM Brandon Beane said today he wasn’t fully aware RB James Cook would abruptly stop practicing yesterday. He called it ‘disappointing,’ noting it’s the first real contract dispute during his tenure as GM. Cook is repped by the same agency that just went through the Shemar Stewart dispute in Cincinnati. Beane said they have remained in communication with Cook’s camp,” Ari Meirov reported.
However, things have taken a massive turn, per one prominent insider.
“A deal has been reached: Two-time Pro Bowl RB James Cook and the Buffalo Bills reached agreement a contract extension, per his agents Zac Hiller and Matt Leist of LAA. The deal includes the most guaranteed money for a running back in the last five years,” reported Adam Schefter on Wednesday morning.
Schefter then followed up with more context for the deal.
“Terms: James Cook is signing a four-year, $48 million extension that includes $30 million guaranteed. ‘James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill,’ said agent Zac Hiller of LAA, who negotiated the deal. ‘We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen.’”
Now that the deal is done, the Bills should have full buyin from the entire roster heading into the season.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.