The Buffalo Bills have secured one of their key offensive players, signing running back James Cook to a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal, finalized on August 13, 2025, ends Cook’s brief training camp hold-in and ensures the two-time Pro Bowler remains with the team through the 2029 season.
Buffalo Bills on X (formerly Twitter): “Jimbo is staying in Buffalo. 😎@thegreat__4 | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Pi41iXCsJ9 / X”
Jimbo is staying in Buffalo. 😎@thegreat__4 | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Pi41iXCsJ9
Cook, a second-round pick in 2022, has emerged as a cornerstone of Buffalo’s offense. In 2024, he tied a franchise record with 16 rushing touchdowns, matching O.J. Simpson’s 1975 mark, while racking up 1,009 rushing yards and 258 receiving yards. His versatility and explosive play helped the Bills reach the AFC Championship Game. Over three seasons, Cook has amassed 2,638 rushing yards and 27 total touchdowns, proving his value as a dynamic dual-threat back.
The extension, which averages $12 million annually, places Cook among the NFL’s top-paid running backs, with his $30 million guaranteed ranking third at the position behind Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty. The deal follows a busy offseason for Buffalo, with extensions for Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir, Christian Benford, Gregory Rousseau, and Terrel Bernard, signaling the team’s commitment to retaining homegrown talent.
Cook’s return to practice on August 12, after missing four sessions and the preseason opener, hinted at progress in negotiations. “James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill,” his agent, Zac Hiller, told ESPN. General Manager Brandon Beane echoed the sentiment, emphasizing his desire to “draft, develop, re-sign” players like Cook. With the Bills eyeing a Super Bowl run in 2025, locking up Cook ensures their backfield remains a strength.
