James Cook commits to a four-year contract renewal
Buffalo Bills Running Back James Cook Signs Four-Year, $48 Million Contract Extension
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has signed a significant four-year contract extension worth $48 million, with $30 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL.
The new deal, which will keep Cook with the Bills through the 2029 season, comes after a strong performance from the running back in recent seasons. In 2024, Cook tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns and had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
The contract extension will see Cook's average annual salary increase to $12 million, making him the sixth-highest-paid running back in the league.
Cook's holdout, which started on August 3, ended with his return to practice on Tuesday. The sources familiar with the agreement reported the news to NFL Network. However, Cook declined to discuss his decision to return to practice with reporters.
The Bills had expected Cook's return to practice, with head coach Sean McDermott commenting that he was pleased to have Cook back on the field. Cook participated in the entire practice, including team drills, after missing four practices last week.
Negotiations for Cook's contract extension with the Bills continued even after he returned to practice. The new deal is a significant increase from his previous base salary of $5.271 million in the final year of his rookie contract.
[1] NFL.com, "James Cook signs four-year, $48 million contract extension with Buffalo Bills," August 2025. [2] ESPN.com, "James Cook's new contract details: What we know," August 2025. [3] ProFootballTalk.com, "James Cook's new deal: $48 million, $30 million guaranteed," August 2025. [4] BuffaloBills.com, "James Cook signs four-year contract extension," August 2025.
In the NFL, James Cook's contract extension with the Buffalo Bills secures his position with the team until the 2029 season, and with an average annual salary of $12 million, he ranks sixth among the highest-paid running backs in the league. This extension follows Cook's impressive performance, particularly his back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and tying for the lead in rushing touchdowns in the 2024 season.
