The Bills enter 2025 with high expectations, but they have serious business to tend to before Week 1 even arrives.
With training camp in full swing, running back James Cook appears to have excused himself from practicing as he seeks a resolution for his contract situation in Buffalo. Cook is currently set to enter free agency following the 2025 season and is seeking a new contract before the season begins.
Cook will turn 26 this season, his fourth in the NFL. He has earned two consecutive Pro Bowl nods, and in 2024, he was the league's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 scores in 16 games. Cook has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons and has been a key part of Buffalo's offensive attack.
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Here is what to know about Cook's contract situation and what it could mean moving forward.
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James Cook contract 'hold in'
Cook's first absence from Bills practice came on Sunday, Aug. 3.
While the team was on the field, Cook walked around the field while the team went through stretches and sat on a stationary bike while the team went through drills.
This marks a significant shift for Cook, who had been practicing with the team up until the first Sunday in August.
Add James Cook to the list of Bills players not practicing. pic.twitter.com/LTxxJgYOaK
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) August 3, 2025
When asked about his decision to sit out of practice, Cook said, "Business." He asked all follow-up questions about his training camp availability by again saying "Business" a reported eight times.
The Bills had "no comment" on Cook not participating in the Sunday practice.
Monday, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said that the team learned of Cook's plans not to practice on Sunday. Beane told Buffalo's 590 WGR, "Hopefully he'll be back out there soon," adding that Cook's participation at practice on Aug. 4 "remains to be seen."
For a second consecutive day, Cook again attended practice but was not in uniform.
RB James Cook walking out to practice not in uniform for the second straight day pic.twitter.com/WdFTcXciBe
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 4, 2025
Unlike a contract "holdout" when players do not report to the team, Cook is effectively "holding in" as he is on hand for practices but electing not to participate despite a seemingly clean bill of health.
This situation had been on the horizon for some time now, with Cook saying, "I mean, I just make sure the business is a business, and just do whatever I can to always be there for my teammates, and however it works out, it works out. And then we go play football," in May.
We finally have some movement on Tuesday, August 12. Bills head coach Sean McDermott started his press conference by saying the running back would be back at practice, finally. He also noted that 'things have changed,' which could mean we see the contract extension that Cook had been wanting.
Bills HC Sean McDermott tells reporters he’s confident that RB James Cook will practice today noting "things have changed.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 12, 2025
Cook wants a new contract extension and has sat out several training camp practices.
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James Cook contract details
Cook has one year remaining on the pro-rated rookie deal signed as the 63rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is set to earn over $5.3 million in the 2025 season when factoring in his base salary and bonuses.
All figures via Spotrac.
| Season | Age | Base salary | Bonuses | Total |
| 2025 | 26 | $5,271,000 | $75,000 | $5,346,000 |
| 2026 | 27 | Unrestricted free agent |
Cook has a base salary of $5.27 million and had a workout bonus of $75,000. It is unclear if he will face any financial penalization should his contract dispute begin to drag out.