James Cook isn’t happy with his contract. I can’t say that I can blame him.
Cook was a second-round pick, recall. He’s been playing well for three years. He really elevated his game last year, with 18 touchdowns. He’s eligible for a contract extension, and he’s ready to be paid.
The Bills still have that fourth year of the contract hanging over him, of course. That’s a valuable tool. It greatly enhances they’ll be able to work out something that’s more team-friendly. With the high rate of injuries for running back, Cook likely will want to agree to something now, avoiding the risk of some kind of injury that might move him back down towards the league minimum.
In its corner, the team also has a pair of other acceptable backs. Ty Johnson is a solid backup, and Ray Davis looks like he could fill in with the Bills not losing much.
But Cook is special. Over the last three years, 48 running backs have carried the ball at least 300 times. Only two of those guys have averaged more yards per carry.
| RUNNING BACKS, YARDS PER CARRY (last 3 yrs) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| DeVon Achane, Mia. | 306 | 1,707 | 5.6 | 23 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs, Det. | 432 | 2,357 | 5.5 | 31 |
| James Cook, Buff. | 533 | 2,638 | 4.9 | 27 |
| Christian McCaffrey, S.F. | 566 | 2,800 | 4.9 | 34 |
| Derrick Henry, Balt. | 954 | 4,626 | 4.8 | 43 |
| Jaylen Warren, Pitt. | 346 | 1,674 | 4.8 | 6 |
| Saquon Barkley, Phil. | 887 | 4,279 | 4.8 | 35 |
| Aaron Jones, Min. | 610 | 2,915 | 4.8 | 17 |
| Bijan Robinson, Atl. | 518 | 2,432 | 4.7 | 23 |
| Nick Chubb, Cle. | 432 | 2,027 | 4.7 | 17 |
| James Conner, Ari. | 627 | 2,916 | 4.7 | 26 |
| Raheem Mostert, Mia. | 475 | 2,181 | 4.6 | 28 |
| Jonathan Taylor, Ind. | 664 | 3,033 | 4.6 | 24 |
| Breece Hall, NYJ | 512 | 2,333 | 4.6 | 22 |
| Isiah Pacheco, K.C. | 458 | 2,075 | 4.5 | 15 |
| Kyren Williams, LAR | 579 | 2,582 | 4.5 | 31 |
| Rico Dowdle, Dall. | 324 | 1,440 | 4.4 | 9 |
| Tyler Allgeier, Atl. | 533 | 2,362 | 4.4 | 12 |
| Jerome Ford, Cle. | 316 | 1,390 | 4.4 | 12 |
| Chuba Hubbard, Car. | 583 | 2,563 | 4.4 | 18 |
| D'Andre Swift, Chi. | 581 | 2,550 | 4.4 | 20 |
| Tony Pollard, Ten. | 705 | 3,091 | 4.4 | 23 |
| Josh Jacobs, G.B. | 874 | 3,787 | 4.3 | 34 |
| Miles Sanders, Car. | 443 | 1,906 | 4.3 | 15 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson, N.E. | 573 | 2,460 | 4.3 | 18 |
| David Montgomery, Det. | 605 | 2,591 | 4.3 | 31 |
| Zack Moss, Cin. | 350 | 1,492 | 4.3 | 11 |
| Devin Singletary, NYG | 506 | 2,154 | 4.3 | 14 |
| Travis Etienne, Jac. | 637 | 2,691 | 4.2 | 19 |
| Kenneth Walker, Sea. | 600 | 2,528 | 4.2 | 26 |
| Gus Edwards, LAC | 386 | 1,608 | 4.2 | 20 |
| Austin Ekeler, Was. | 460 | 1,910 | 4.2 | 28 |
| Dalvin Cook, Dall. | 339 | 1,407 | 4.2 | 10 |
| D'Onta Foreman, Cle. | 383 | 1,571 | 4.1 | 10 |
| Brian Robinson, Was. | 570 | 2,329 | 4.1 | 20 |
| Dameon Pierce, Hou. | 405 | 1,648 | 4.1 | 10 |
| Antonio Gibson, N.E. | 334 | 1,349 | 4.0 | 9 |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 631 | 2,541 | 4.0 | 18 |
| Joe Mixon, Hou. | 712 | 2,864 | 4.0 | 33 |
| Cam Akers, 2TM | 352 | 1,397 | 4.0 | 14 |
| Najee Harris, Pitt. | 790 | 3,112 | 3.9 | 24 |
| Rachaad White, T.B. | 545 | 2,084 | 3.8 | 21 |
| AJ Dillon, G.B. | 364 | 1,383 | 3.8 | 9 |
| Javonte Williams, Den. | 403 | 1,491 | 3.7 | 9 |
| Jamaal Williams, N.O. | 416 | 1,536 | 3.7 | 19 |
| Alexander Mattison, L.V. | 386 | 1,403 | 3.6 | 14 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 489 | 1,744 | 3.6 | 20 |
| Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 458 | 1,607 | 3.5 | 20 |
—Ian Allan