James Cook contract: Is Bills RB underpaid?

Adam Schultz

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James Cook contract: Is Bills RB underpaid? image

This offseason was dominated by Buffalo Bills running back James Cook wanting a new contract.

While it took longer than he would have hoped, he did put pen to paper on a four-year, $48 million contract that pays him roughly $12 million APY.

Cook is the seventh-highest-paid running back in football, but this season, he's played like the best. 

A total of 1,532 yards and 12 touchdowns to be the NFL's leading rusher through 16 weeks is some sort of season for No. 4.

But he is underpaid already?

For quarterback Josh Allen, he had an interesting answer.

“I mean, if you look at it, probably, yeah," a smiling Allen said. "But all he cares about winning football games right now, and it's pretty awesome."

More: Bills' Josh Allen reveals why its 'fun' to play with James Cook

Cook repaying faith with All-Pro caliber season

Any time a team shells out a $48 million contract, they are signaling that they are putting a lot of faith and trust into that player to keep being the star they are.

And for Cook, through 16 games, there's no doubt he's repaid that faith and then some.

Sometimes we see players who get the big contract, and their production falls away. But not James.

He's playing at an All-Pro level, and with two games left in the regular season, there's a chance that he will be the NFL's leading rusher for 2025.

And after signing a bumper new deal, that is just about all you can ask for from an organizational standpoint.

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