It’s “just business” for no-show Buffalo Bills star

The Buffalo Bills were without running back James Cook on Sunday afternoon. The 25-year-old was in attendance at St. John Fisher University with his teammates but did not take part in the session.

Cook was a second round pick for the Bills at the 2022 NFL Draft and he has impressed. He made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two years and was the NFL rushing yards co-leader in 2024.

He is pushing for a lucrative contract extension this offseason but has not yet agreed improved deals. Judging by his comments when quizzed by reporters on Sunday, Cook is holding out for that new deal.

“Oh, nothing,” he replied, when asked why he hadn’t taken part. “Business.”

“Just business,” he continued. “It ain’t no side. It’s just business.”

Cook can have a far claim to be one of the best running backs of his age group and he will expect to be paid like one. Up until this point he had indicated that he wanted to continue training while negotiations are on-going, choosing to help the team in their preparations.

However that stance appears to have shifted since the Bills agreed contract extensions with three other members of that 2022 draft class. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford have all received new deals between Cook.

“Sometimes you can’t get on the same page, or sometimes you’re trying to fit it in,” general manager Brandon Beane said of the situation. “There’s times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn’t make it work. But I can tell you, I’m hopeful when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue.”

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