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Brandon Beane hopeful Bills can keep RB James Cook despite contract demands
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- Brandon Beane hopeful Bills can keep RB James Cook despite contract demands
James Cook is not present at the Buffalo Bills ' voluntary offseason workouts as he attempts to negotiate a new contract with the team. Bills general manager Brandon Beane seems hopeful the two parties can agree on a long-term deal in the not-so-distant future.
Beane was asked about Cook's status in a Tuesday interview on "The Pat McAfee Show." He provided an optimistic response.
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"He will be here this year and hopefully beyond," Beane said.
Beane acknowledged the Bills are "focused on this season" as they assess their running back room. He is pleased the team will return its three-headed monster of Cook, powerful backup Ray Davis and pass-catching maven Ty Johnson after the trio found great success together in 2024.
Still, Beane knows Cook is the true workhorse of the group. That makes him an ideal extension candidate, especially considering how his combination of speed and elusiveness fits alongside quarterback Josh Allen , a big, powerful runner.
"We love James and we would love nothing more than to keep him here longer term," Beane said. "But the immediate point right now is we got all three guys, including him, back for this season."
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Cook racked up 1,009 rushing yards, 258 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns in 16 games (all starts) for the Bills last season. The 25-year-old indicated he is seeking a deal worth $15 million in average annual value (AAV), according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle . He is set to play for a salary of $5.3 million in 2025, the last year of his rookie deal.
Cook and the Bills didn't appear close to agreeing to terms on a contract extension at the NFL's annual league meeting in late March, as Beane outlined at the time.
"I don't see us getting something done anytime soon," Bills told reporters, per ESPN . "We're on to the draft. Just because we don't get something done this year doesn't mean we can't get something done before he's a free agent."
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With the draft in the rearview mirror, perhaps Buffalo will shift more of its attention to negotiating an extension with Cook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills GM hoping to keep RB James Cook 'this year and hopefully beyond'
