James Cook Misses Bills Workouts: Seeks Contract Extension

James Cook Absent from Bills’ Training Due to Contract Negotiations

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did not participate in training practice for the second consecutive day on Monday, as he seeks a contract extension. Cook, who is in his final year of his rookie contract, was briefly present at practice, but not in team uniform. Instead of training, Cook was seen wearing training clothes and a hat. 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 running back, in his fourth year, did not participate in Sunday’s practice, but was on the field throughout the session. Afterwards, Cook, 25, told reporters he was not participating due to “business matters.” Previously, he had participated in all eight of the team’s training camp practices and the three days of mandatory minicamp, but was not at the team’s voluntary offseason activities.

At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here. This is 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’re expecting, but at the end of the day, as I said before, sometimes it can be the way of the world and we’ll handle it the best we can.

Brandon Beane, General Manager of the Bills

Bills general manager Brandon Beane commented that “constant communication” has been maintained between the Bills and Cook and his team. The two sides have not been able to reach an agreement on an extension for the running back, despite discussions that also took place in the spring. The Bills extended the contracts of three other members of the 2022 draft class this offseason: Christian Benford, Terrel Bernard, and Khalil Shakir. Runners Ty Johnson and Ray Davis mentioned that they learned of Cook’s absence from Sunday’s practice at the start of training. The Bills have a day off on Tuesday before returning to practice at St. John Fisher University on Wednesday.