NFL
Bills Face Potential James Cook Holdout, Joey Bosa Injury

The James Cook wants a new contract, and Joey Bosa will miss time with an injury.
Will James Cook Hold Out?
“We’re staying in touch… James will be here when he’s ready to be here and we move forward.”
-Sean McDermott on James Cook not being in attendance for the #Bills voluntary OTAs#BillsMafia https://t.co/MRW3zLDlQx
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) May 27, 2025
Cook is the only Bills player missing at OTAs. Cook’s absence is not a surprise due to his contract situation.
The former second-round pick enters the final year of his four-year rookie contract and is set to make a base salary of $5.271 million.
Cook has been upfront with his desire for a new contract and wants to be paid like one of the highest-paid running backs in the league.
On Instagram Live, Cook hinted that he wants at least $15 million per year.
Only three running backs in the NFL have an average annual salary of $15 million. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley is the highest-paid running back at $20.6 million, followed by San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey ($19 million) and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry ($15 million).
Cook might be worth the price considering his significance in the Bills’ offense. Cook rushed for 1,009 yards and tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns with 16. Cook also caught 32 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
Per Dan Fetes, McDermott told reporters that he expects Cook will be with the Bills “when he’s ready.”
The Bills have a mandatory minicamp from June 10 to 12.
Joey Bosa Injured
McDermott says Joey Bosa most likely will not be back until training camp.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 27, 2025
The Bills will be without one of their defensive ends for the foreseeable future.
Bosa suffered a calf injury last week during a team workout.
Per Tom Pelissero, head coach Sean McDermott said that Bosa will be out for the rest of the spring. The good news is that Bosa should be ready for training camp.
After spending his first nine seasons with the Chargers, Bosa signed a one-year deal with the Bills worth $12.6 million earlier this offseason.
When healthy, Bosa is a premier talent, having made five Pro Bowl teams. However, injuries have derailed Bosa’s career the past few seasons.
Bosa has missed 23 games over the past three seasons.