Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was not in attendance as the squad began Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in Orchard Park, New York earlier today. Cook, who was elected to his second straight Pro Bowl last season, is entering the final year of his current contract and is likely looking for a long-term extension similar to what teammates Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford received this off-season.
“We’re staying in touch like you’d expect a player and a coach to do,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott earlier today. “James will be here when he’s ready to be here, and we move forward.”
While appearing on a February 20th episode of the Nightcap podcast with Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe, Cook said, “I just want to get what I deserve.” Cook believes that he deserves $15 million per year. At least, that’s according to a comment he pinned during an Instagram Live back in February.
Every Bills player is in attendance for voluntary OTAs EXCEPT running back James Cook, per Sean McDermott.
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) May 27, 2025
“At the end of the day, I feel like we’re just going against running backs. I feel like we deserved to get paid,” Cook added. “When it comes down to the backend of the season, we play a big part of this sh*t. However they want to take it, then I’m standing with the running backs. Sh*t, we deserve it.”
Cook finished the regular season tied with the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry for the second-most total touchdowns in the league (18). He also finished tied for first in terms of rushing touchdowns (16) with Henry and the Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs.
Injury concerns already for the Bills
James Cook’s absence at OTAs wasn’t the only noteworthy piece of news that came out of Orchard Park this week. Sean McDermott also revealed that newly signed edge rusher Joey Bosa suffered a calf injury that will sideline him for some time.
“He’ll be out for more than likely the foreseeable springtime at least, and then we’ll get into training camp,” McDermott told reporters. “He should be able to go by training camp. Understand it just happened late last week, so we’re still in kind of the exploratory phase of what that’s going to mean. Joey was off to a good start before that, so it’s unfortunate to see him go down. But it offers someone else an opportunity to step up and get some quality reps for us as we move forward.”
Injury concerns have been a huge part of Bosa’s career. Even though he has been named to five Pro Bowls, Bosa has missed a total of 41 games in his career. Since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, Bosa has only made 28 starts.
#Bills coach Sean McDermott tells reporters that newly signed edge Joey Bosa pulled his calf and will more than likely be sidelined until training camp. RB James Cook, seeking a new deal, is not present.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 27, 2025
“Listen, it is concerning,” McDermott said. “Durability, availability are key ties to our roster. We basically look ahead in terms of what he’s doing now, which is getting himself the treatment that he needs and he’s working hard at it. That’s all he can control right now. We get him back when we get him back, probably at this point training camp. We’re gonna do the best job we can — and I know he is as well — and just take it one day at a time.”
