NFL

NFL Rumors: James Cook Holding Out, Seeking $20 Million Per Year

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Anthony Cardenas
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Anthony Cardenas Sports Editor

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Published24 Apr 2025

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April’s workout program for the James Cook is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is looking for an extension this NFL offseason, and is apparently looking for a deal in the range of $20 million per year.

James Cook Wants Top-Of-The-Line NFL Money

Cook has made his feelings known all off-season long. When Saquon Barkley signed his lucrative deal in early March, the Bills running back posted some not-so-cryptic retweets of the Barkley news, which features emojis like the “shrug” and “looking eyes”. Cook went on live on Instagram in January and commented “15 mill year” in the chat.

His brother is now chiming in with an even bigger ask. Dalvin Cook, who had just 8 rushing attempts in two games with the Dallas Cowboys last year, took to social media himself to give his two cents on his younger brother’s situation.

ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted about James Cook’s absence from OTAs on Wednesday, citing that the player is looking for a new deal. Dalvin posted a retweet of the information, of course with accompanying emojis. The message simply read, “$20M per” and was followed by two “100” emojis.

The ask seems outlandish. Barkley is the only running back in the NFL earning more than $20 million annually, which is the most for the position in the history of the league. If James Cook were to earn what his brother suggests, then he’d have a more valuable contract thank guys like Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor. Even the $15 million annually that he referenced in February would make him the third-highest paid back in the NFL.

Three players from Cook’s draft class have already been re-upped by Buffalo, as Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, and Christian Benford all signed extensions earlier in the off-season. All were selected after Cook, who was the team’s second round pick in 2022.

James Cook gained 1,009 ground yards in 2024, and was tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.