Buffalo Bills The offseason begins

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Ok let’s get one thing straight. Someone wanting to get paid for their labor is not full heal or dirty or anything else. I probably wouldn’t pay him 15 million a year but him looking out for himself is what every player that hasn’t gotten paid should be doing.

I think there's a big difference between wanting to get paid and making it a public spectacle.

 

[buffa dud]

James Cook offensive snaps in his career:

2022 - 269 (24.79%)
2023 - 634 (54.47%)
2024 - 485 (44.58%)

In comparison in 2024:

Saquon Barkley - 801 (69.23%)
Josh Jacobs - 678 (62.55%)

I have a hard time believing that Cook is worth $3M more per year than Barkley & Jacobs.

View attachment 976591

Cook had a massive jump in TD production in 2024. But, outside of that, along with being better at not dropping passes and not losing a single fumble, he just doesn't have the usage and volume stats to be worth a top of market ($15M per year would be #2 behind CMC) deal, IMO.

Playing Devil's Advocate here. Cook has developed into a true pro in a pretty short time and you want to reward that kind of work. Especially when the ask isn't ****ing goofy. He "struggled" with ball security early on. He took care of that. He had some pretty untimely drops early on. That's not really an issue anymore. He didn't have coaching's trust in short-yardage and goal-line situations, but that's changed as well. It's a good story, and one of the ways you build trust in the lockerroom.

 

[Ace]

I think there's a big difference between wanting to get paid and making it a public spectacle.

what…publicly negotiating in mid February with a full year left on your deal isn’t respectable?

Let’s get this clear…there is no defense for how Cook has gone about this. Man had four f***ing touchdowns until Allen decided to hand him the ball in the red zone this year. He’s not a three down back. He’s barely a two down back. He’s asking, publicly, to be the second highest paid running back in football…and he’s not that kind of back.

What he knows is…and this is the key…that he will NEVER have the touchdown luck he just had again. That it happened because someone else was picking up the hard yards to keep drives going on third and fourth downs to put him in position to get them. He’s a 60 yard per game back with a penchant for wide open drops. And that’s his GOOD year.

He can negotiate with my f***ing ass.

I’d rather they just move on now and not allow the distraction. Guy isn’t nearly what Diggs was…and is so much more easily replaced it isn’t even funny. Someone else is already taking his hardest downs anyway.

You don’t blame him for wanting to get paid? Fine. How he’s gone about it? f*** him. Hope he makes every penny somewhere else.

 

[yahhockey]

A hypothetical Cook extension where he receives 3x15 and apparently reworks the final year of his rookie contract.

James Cook | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

James Cook signed a 4 year, $5,832,057 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including $1,421,496 signing bonus, $2,391,590 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,458,014. In 2025, Cook will earn a base salary of $5,190,000 and a workout bonus of $75,000, while carrying a cap hit of...

www.spotrac.com

 

[Ace]

Let’s also be clear about why this happened…lest anyone somehow confuse themselves there was some noble reason a running back with one good year is publicly naming fairy tale prices when he isn’t a free agent until July 2026…

His agent knows he’s not getting paid.

Bernard
Benford
Rousseau
Shakir

All also eligible for extensions. All higher than him in the pecking order.

This was a cry for trade to a team that will extend him based on TD numbers he knows he won’t reproduce.

Hope he gets it.

 

[Krieger Bot]

Ok let’s get one thing straight. Someone wanting to get paid for their labor is not full heal or dirty or anything else. I probably wouldn’t pay him 15 million a year but him looking out for himself is what every player that hasn’t gotten paid should be doing.

Nor does him asking for $15m mean he'll get it. It's not surprising to me that he would open by taking a maximalist stance here. There's a fairly good chance others are doing that too in the early stages of their extension negotiations.

 

[OkimLom]

It's too bad Cook has gone full heel and is going in with the mindset of making big demands and having a potentially dirty negotiation. Loved him this year but he ain't worth what he's asking for and they may have to move on.

Guy was one of the highest scoring RBs in the league, on a team looking to have a balanced attack.

Him starting off high in negotiations is his right to do and shouldn’t be looked at as dirty tactics or him having big demands.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I think there's a big difference between wanting to get paid and making it a public spectacle.

I get that, but is there really a big difference between what Cook is doing and agents leaking the same shit to Schefter/Rapaport?

In both cases they're hoping to use the court of public opinion to put pressure on the teams that otherwise have all the leverage. Just don't think it's really going to work the way they're hoping.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

I get that, but is there really a big difference between what Cook is doing and agents leaking the same shit to Schefter/Rapaport?

In both cases they're hoping to use the court of public opinion to put pressure on the teams that otherwise have all the leverage. Just don't think it's really going to work the way they're hoping.

Yes, I think there is. One is an agent doing their job, the other is a player not doing theirs.

 

[1specter]

I think there's a big difference between wanting to get paid and making it a public spectacle.

Exactly my point.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

I’d rather trade up with one of the 2nds into the mid/late teens for Jeanty before I would give Cook 15 mil per. Just no. The Bills need true top tier impact players. Got to get Garrett. Not spending outrageous money again for the guys who haven’t gotten us over. That Knox deal is atrocious

 

[Jim Bob]

Playing Devil's Advocate here. Cook has developed into a true pro in a pretty short time and you want to reward that kind of work. Especially when the ask isn't ****ing goofy. He "struggled" with ball security early on. He took care of that. He had some pretty untimely drops early on. That's not really an issue anymore. He didn't have coaching's trust in short-yardage and goal-line situations, but that's changed as well. It's a good story, and one of the ways you build trust in the lockerroom.

The challenge is that you can't pay everyone and you have a lot of core guys that are in the last year of their current deals in 2025 and will be up for raises.

Here is just a list of the starters that are up:

- Khalil Shakir
- Connor McGovern
- James Cook
- David Edwards

- Greg Rousseau
- Terrel Bernard
- Christian Benford
- DaQuan Jones

I would argue that RB is the easiest position to fill with a player that is a lot more cost effective than Cook on a $12-15M per year contract.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I re-watched the Super Bowl last night. I wanted to get a good look at the Eagles defense.

- They went 4-2-5 most of the game with DeJean as the nickel. They moved him around a little but nothing crazy.

- The two linebackers weren’t middle and weakside but more like two 3-4 ILBs playing strong and weakside.

- Two high safety shell all game

- Ends controlled rushing to keep Mahomes from breaking contain. Tackles pushed instead of trying to beat blocks. Same thing the Giants did to Brady. Same thing the Bucs did to Mahomes. Collapse the pocket in the QBs face.

- Some defensive line twists and stunts but Fangio mixed that in as a change up on a few passing downs.

- First blitz came from Baun late in the 4th quarter

- Underneath coverage was a solid mix of man, straight zone, and match up zone.

I don’t think the Bills are far off from this type of defense. Schematically, Fangio basically played the McDermott defense. Fangio blitzed less than Babich as well which seemed odd but that’s what happened.

The Bills linebackers are really no worse than the Eagles. Baun benefited from the Eagles tackles which freed him up. Milano is a better linebacker and Bernard might be too.

Mitchell is amazing and DeJean is good for a rookie. But the Eagles blew a lot of coverages which the Chiefs never capitalized on. The biggest was the Hopkins drop. The Eagles blew that coverage badly but Hopkins bailed them out.

I think Benford and Johnson are a solid match for what the Eagle have and the Bills have Rapp and Bishop. I think Bishop will make a big leap in his second season. You could see the recognition light going off in his head late in the season.

The difference for me is the line and specifically the tackles. Davis and Carter were very hard to match up with. They ate up the Chiefs interior three and left the ends with one on one blocks with the offensive tackles. The Eagles back up defensive tackles were good as well.

Beane tried this a few years back by stacking Epenesa, Basham, Rousseau, and Miller. It didn’t work well but that should not deter Beane. This is the way to beat Mahomes.

I’d make a serious push for Garrett on a post June 1st trade. He’s a right end who also excels inside on NASCAR packages. That also lets Rousseau play left end. Then get big, strong defensive tackles. Oliver and Carter are fine as the 3DT but they need some space eaters who eat up blocks.

 

[buffalowing88]

The challenge is that you can't pay everyone and you have a lot of core guys that are in the last year of their current deals in 2025 and will be up for raises.

Here is just a list of the starters that are up:

- Khalil Shakir
- Connor McGovern
- James Cook
- David Edwards

- Greg Rousseau
- Terrel Bernard
- Christian Benford
- DaQuan Jones

I would argue that RB is the easiest position to fill with a player that is a lot more cost effective than Cook on a $12-15M per year contract.

Benford seems like he's number one on the priority list, right? His concussions scare me a bit but if he's cleared I don't think there's a player on that list I'd be more concerned about losing. And there's a lot of players on that list that I prioritize quite high to begin with.

 

[Der Jaeger]

This draft is loaded with running backs. If Cook is playing hard ball, draft one in the 4th round, ride out the season, and go with Davis, Johnson, and the rookie afterwards.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I re-watched the Super Bowl last night. I wanted to get a good look at the Eagles defense.

- They went 4-2-5 most of the game with DeJean as the nickel. They moved him around a little but nothing crazy.

- The two linebackers weren’t middle and weakside but more like two 3-4 ILBs playing strong and weakside.

- Two high safety shell all game

- Ends controlled rushing to keep Mahomes from breaking contain. Tackles pushed instead of trying to beat blocks. Same thing the Giants did to Brady. Same thing the Bucs did to Mahomes. Collapse the pocket in the QBs face.

- Some defensive line twists and stunts but Fangio mixed that in as a change up on a few passing downs.

- First blitz came from Baun late in the 4th quarter

- Underneath coverage was a solid mix of man, straight zone, and match up zone.

I don’t think the Bills are far off from this type of defense. Schematically, Fangio basically played the McDermott defense. Fangio blitzed less than Babich as well which seemed odd but that’s what happened.

The Bills linebackers are really no worse than the Eagles. Baun benefited from the Eagles tackles which freed him up. Milano is a better linebacker and Bernard might be too.

Mitchell is amazing and DeJean is good for a rookie. But the Eagles blew a lot of coverages which the Chiefs never capitalized on. The biggest was the Hopkins drop. The Eagles blew that coverage badly but Hopkins bailed them out.

I think Benford and Johnson are a solid match for what the Eagle have and the Bills have Rapp and Bishop. I think Bishop will make a big leap in his second season. You could see the recognition light going off in his head late in the season.

The difference for me is the line and specifically the tackles. Davis and Carter were very hard to match up with. They ate up the Chiefs interior three and left the ends with one on one blocks with the offensive tackles. The Eagles back up defensive tackles were good as well.

Beane tried this a few years back by stacking Epenesa, Basham, Rousseau, and Miller. It didn’t work well but that should not deter Beane. This is the way to beat Mahomes.

I’d make a serious push for Garrett on a post June 1st trade. He’s a right end who also excels inside on NASCAR packages. That also lets Rousseau play left end. Then get big, strong defensive tackles. Oliver and Carter are fine as the 3DT but they need some space eaters who eat up blocks.

Yeah. Get me one of Garrett or Crosby or...wasn't there another good DE that may be available? Garrett's the only one we know truly wants out. Beane is going to make an offer. No doubt in my mind. He knows the difference between his *past* defenses and the ones who slow the Chiefs down is having a great D line.

 

[Selanne00008]

I re-watched the Super Bowl last night. I wanted to get a good look at the Eagles defense.

- They went 4-2-5 most of the game with DeJean as the nickel. They moved him around a little but nothing crazy.

- The two linebackers weren’t middle and weakside but more like two 3-4 ILBs playing strong and weakside.

- Two high safety shell all game

- Ends controlled rushing to keep Mahomes from breaking contain. Tackles pushed instead of trying to beat blocks. Same thing the Giants did to Brady. Same thing the Bucs did to Mahomes. Collapse the pocket in the QBs face.

- Some defensive line twists and stunts but Fangio mixed that in as a change up on a few passing downs.

- First blitz came from Baun late in the 4th quarter

- Underneath coverage was a solid mix of man, straight zone, and match up zone.

I don’t think the Bills are far off from this type of defense. Schematically, Fangio basically played the McDermott defense. Fangio blitzed less than Babich as well which seemed odd but that’s what happened.

The Bills linebackers are really no worse than the Eagles. Baun benefited from the Eagles tackles which freed him up. Milano is a better linebacker and Bernard might be too.

Mitchell is amazing and DeJean is good for a rookie. But the Eagles blew a lot of coverages which the Chiefs never capitalized on. The biggest was the Hopkins drop. The Eagles blew that coverage badly but Hopkins bailed them out.

I think Benford and Johnson are a solid match for what the Eagle have and the Bills have Rapp and Bishop. I think Bishop will make a big leap in his second season. You could see the recognition light going off in his head late in the season.

The difference for me is the line and specifically the tackles. Davis and Carter were very hard to match up with. They ate up the Chiefs interior three and left the ends with one on one blocks with the offensive tackles. The Eagles back up defensive tackles were good as well.

Beane tried this a few years back by stacking Epenesa, Basham, Rousseau, and Miller. It didn’t work well but that should not deter Beane. This is the way to beat Mahomes.

I’d make a serious push for Garrett on a post June 1st trade. He’s a right end who also excels inside on NASCAR packages. That also lets Rousseau play left end. Then get big, strong defensive tackles. Oliver and Carter are fine as the 3DT but they need some space eaters who eat up blocks.

Bills front four is the issue. Be it just getting over powered, or is it not staying disciplined and staying in your lane.

Selling Dejean short as good for a rookie. PFF has Cooper Dejean the highest rated DB in the league. Wild for a rookie.

 

[Jim Bob]

Yeah. Get me one of Garrett or Crosby or...wasn't there another good DE that may be available? Garrett's the only one we know truly wants out. Beane is going to make an offer. No doubt in my mind. He knows the difference between his *past* defenses and the ones who slow the Chiefs down is having a great D line.

Trey Hendrickson from Cincy is the other name that has been out there because of the financial constraints that the Bengals operate under and the contracts coming up for their top 2 WRs.

 

[HaNotsri]

This draft is loaded with running backs. If Cook is playing hard ball, draft one in the 4th round, ride out the season, and go with Davis, Johnson, and the rookie afterwards.

I like this idea. We could easily lose a couple of rbs to injury anyway.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

f***ing Cook. I hate that diva shit.

 

[OkimLom]

f***ing Cook. I hate that diva shit.

Then stay away from Social Media.

If we as a fanbase want to promote our guys and push them being more valuable, then we need to accept that players might feel the same way and use that to benefit themselves financially. Sorry to say and burst peoples' bubbles, the majority of players in the league and in any sports leagues, are going to look to get as much money as possible for their craft to build wealth while they can perform, over giving their respected teams a team discount. It's just the nature of the beast of business side of the sports.

 

[HOOats]

This draft is loaded with running backs. If Cook is playing hard ball, draft one in the 4th round, ride out the season, and go with Davis, Johnson, and the rookie afterwards.

How do we carry four all year? Gilliam or Morris and wouldn't be active I assume.

 

[TehDoak]

Fifteen Million Jimbo? You sure?



I just checked Mostert's stats last year and he's cooked

But the RB UFA market ain't

2025 NFL Free Agents

Tracking the status and signings of all NFL free agents.

www.spotrac.com

Realistically, I'd love to keep Cook, even long term.

But...imagine the market opportunity Buffalo would present for UFA running backs on a 1-2 year deal.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]