Cook sits out preseason despite warmup

A contract holdout leaves James Cook warming up but not stepping onto the field in the Bills' preseason as talks continue.

Bills Running Back James Cook Sits Out Preseason After Contract Talks

Cook arrived at Bills camp and practiced through Sunday before entering a holdout while seeking a contract extension. On Friday, Cook and head coach Sean McDermott discussed Cook’s availability for Saturday’s preseason game against the Giants. McDermott said Cook agreed to warm up but would not play, adding that there has been no change in the stance going into the weekend and the game today. Buffalo lost 34-25, a result that shades how this decision will be read by fans and observers.

Cook, a 2022 second-round pick, has accumulated 2,638 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns in his career, along with 97 receptions for 883 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, with a base salary of 5.271 million this season, and he has sought pay that reflects top running back value. The decision to warm up but not play illustrates the friction between player leverage and team budgeting as preseason action remains a platform for evaluating depth and earning potential.

The Cook case highlights a broader trend in the NFL: players pushing for bigger pay while teams juggle cap realities. It exposes how a single holdout can shape roster planning, especially at a position where longevity and durability are often valued more in theory than in the market. If this stance persists, Buffalo may front-load risk, balancing short term needs against long term cost. The episode also tests the Bills’ public stance on player equity, a topic that resonates with fans watching budgets collide with on-file talent.

As teams watch running backs negotiate for premium status, this preseason moment could become a bellwether for how aggressively clubs defend the market value of their backs. For Cook, the outcome will determine whether his game-day role becomes a bargaining chip or a bridge to a longer-term deal. The tension between performance incentives and salary ceilings will continue to shape not just his career but how the league values the position.

Highlights

The contract conversation is just beginning, and the next chapter will reveal how much the Bills trust the value they place on Cook.