Bills' Josh Allen 'desperately' wants James Cook on field, but supportive of RB amid contract dispute

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2025-08-07

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James Cook‘s hold-in continues to be a focus in Bills training camp, but Josh Allen isn’t stressing over it.

The Buffalo quarterback hopes his running back gets paid — and he knows that whenever Cook returns, he’ll be ready.

“It’s no different than (receiver) Khalil (Shakir) being out with an ankle,” Allen said of Cook’s absence. “Guys are stepping up and making plays. It was good for (running back) Ray (Davis) to get some of these reps, and getting on the same page with (running back) Ty (Johnson) again, who I think is the best third-down back in the game. It just gives them a couple of more opportunities.

“James is who he is. He’s one of the best running backs in the league, and you’d be crazy to say we don’t want him out there. We desperately want him out there with us. Hopefully something can get done.”

Entering the final season of his rookie deal, Cook has been entangled in a contract dispute with the Bills for most of the 2025 calendar year. Throughout this prolonged period, Bills general manager Brandon Beane has expressed appreciation for Cook while admitting it’s difficult to pay everyone premium salaries while constructing a title-contending roster within the limitations of the salary cap.

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In a good faith move, Cook showed up to training camp on time and participated. After a week, however, he decided to protect his most valuable asset — his health — by removing himself from activities and watching from the sideline, a decision that came as a surprise to Beane and the Bills’ front office.

Cook’s contractual desires hover around a lofty number: $15 million per year. Only three running backs (Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry) in the NFL earn that much or more annually, while Colts tailback Jonathan Taylor falls just below it at $14 million per year. A recent $11 million-per-year extension for Rams running back Kyren Williams didn’t help Cook’s case, either.

Allen understands the importance of these negotiations, telling reporters Thursday, “I’m a big advocate of everybody getting theirs and getting paid.” But the reigning NFL MVP admitted he doesn’t play a role in contract talks and accepted that in Cook’s case, “sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

“At the end of the day, there’s this huge business piece to this game. It’s the hardest part,” Allen added. “A lot of people don’t understand it. He’s holding out, holding in, whatever he’s doing. This is generational stuff. It’s wealth for you and your family. It’s not a small chunk of change. Making sure that he’s healthy and still going through the mental reps. He’s still doing that. He’s a pro, and he knows what he’s doing.”

The wait will continue, then, for Cook and the Bills. With two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons on his résumé, Buffalo knows what Cook brings to the table. The back will hope they pay him accordingly.