James Cook Absent from Bills Training: Contract Negotiations Ongoing
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook missed team drills for the second straight day on Monday as he seeks a contract extension. Cook, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, did not participate in practice, though he was present on the field. Cook briefly appeared on the training field, but was not wearing a uniform. Instead, he was wearing training clothes and a cap. He walked along the edge of the field, entered a portable toilet, and then returned to the team’s locker room. He did not participate in the rest of the day’s practice. The fourth-year running back also did not participate in Sunday’s practice, although he was present throughout the entire session. After Sunday’s practice, Cook, 25, told reporters that he was not participating due to “business matters.” Previously, he had participated in all eight team training camp practices and the three days of mandatory minicamp, but was not present for the team’s voluntary offseason activities.Bills general manager Brandon Beane stated that they learned of Cook’s absence on Sunday shortly before practice. Beane also mentioned that there has been “constant communication” between the Bills and Cook, as well as his team. Despite the conversations that took place in the spring, both sides have failed to reach an agreement on an extension for the running back. The Bills extended the contracts of three other members of the 2022 draft class during this offseason. Running backs Ty Johnson and Ray Davis revealed they learned of Cook’s absence on Sunday as practice began. The Bills will have a day off on Tuesday before returning to training at St. John Fisher University on Wednesday.At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t in this situation. It’s my ninth season here. We’ve never had a player miss time because of a contract or anything like that, so that’s disappointing to me. It’s not something we want, it’s not something we expect, but at the end of the day, as I said before, sometimes it can be like that and we’ll deal with it as best we can.
Brandon Beane, General Manager of the Bills
