Buffalo Bills running back James Cookeased tension with the team when he showed up for mandatory minicamp earlier this month, but the Pro Bowler’s long-term future in Buffalo remains uncertain as he seeks a new deal and the team does not appear willing to give him one.
That could lead the Bills to look at other options, with one analyst suggesting they start looking ahead to the future by trading for a four-time Pro Bowler who can add versatility to the offense.
Bills Urged to Add Speedy Playmaker
While Cook’s arrival at minicamp may have given the team a breath of relief, he has publicly pushed for a new contract with a $15 million per year salary and Bills general manager Brandon Beane made it clear that the team is not negotiating for that deal. That has led to speculation that the Bills could trade their two-time Pro Bowler before the season starts.
If that happens, Last Word on Sports reporter David Latham believes the Bills could look for a replacement in Pittsburgh Steelers running back/wide receiver/return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson.
James Cook wants a new contract, and the Buffalo Bills should have a Plan B in their backfield in case this holdout lasts a while,” Latham wrote. “While former Day 3 pick Ray Davis is in line to start, a team with Super Bowl aspirations like the Buffalo Bills should call up the Steelers and inquire about Cordarrelle Patterson. While he’s not a 200-carry type of player, Patterson could ease the workload on Davis and help him handle a larger share of the pie in Cook’s absence.”
Some insiders have looked at Patterson as a good fit for the Bills in the past. Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News suggested back in 2022 that the Bills could sign the playmaker to replace departing receiver Isaiah McKenzie.
“Patterson is a (much) more accomplished version of Isaiah McKenzie. It would no doubt be intriguing to add him to the offense, but the price tag is the likely holdup,” he wrote at the time.
Bills Would Miss James Cook
While Latham and others could be looking forward to a future in Buffalo without Cook, the team has given no indication that it would seek to trade the star running back. Cook is coming off back-to-back seasons where he topped 1,000 yards, the first Bills running back to achieve that mark since LeSean McCoy. Cook also led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns last season, unlocking a ground attack that complemented Josh Allen and the passing game.
Other analysts believe the Bills should try to lock Cook down to a long-term deal, finding an acceptable salary number and getting the deal done to end the uncertainty of his future. Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report believes that is the biggest move remaining for the Bills this offseason.
The Buffalo Bills were only a few plays away from reaching the Super Bowl in January, so much of the offseason has been about maintaining continuity. Ascending running back James Cook should be considered a long-term piece of the puzzle,” Knox wrote. “Cook is extension-eligible and has been vocal about his desire for a new deal, although that didn’t keep him away from mandatory minicamp. While the Bills barely have any cap space remaining, general manager Brandon Beane should do what he can to extend Cook to ensure the backfield leader has no distractions in 2025.”