Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, through the first month of the season, is proving to be worth every cent of his $48 million contract.
Already with 401 rushing yards and five touchdowns, Cook has been the straw that stirs the offense's drink with 100+ rushing yards in each of his last three games to be one of Joe Brady's top weapons, not named Josh Allen.
Wanting a new contract in the offseason, Cook had to bide his time and even held out of a couple of practices before general manager Brandon Beane got down to business and thrashed out a deal.
And for Allen, the new contract might be a reason for Cook's good start to the year.
“I think the outside stuff takes care of itself, when it does, it does free you up to be a little more loose and to go out there and enjoy it and not have the fear or the worry about everything else,” Allen said. “You're seeing that the way he plays, the way he practices. He's an all-time teammate, and he's gotten everything that he's deserved. He's going out there, and acting like he's got something to prove, which is awesome to see.”
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Bills aiming to run away with AFC East
Already at 4-0 on the year, with wins over the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, the Bills have a chance in Week 5 to have a clean sweep of the early division games when they host the New England Patriots.
Given the state of Miami and New York, the Patriots loom as the only "contender" for the division, along with the Bills, and slaying Mike Vrabel's team to go 3-0 in the division would be an ideal start to the season for Sean McDermott's team.
Most think the Bills, like last season, will win the AFC East at a canter, and if Buffalo continues on its winning ways on Sunday, that will be a very real possibility.
And expect the "free and loose" Cook to have a big say in proceedings, too.
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