Overview
- Cook has publicly fixed his asking price at $15 million per year, citing consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a franchise-record 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
- He reported on time and fully participated in the opening sessions of training camp, choosing to continue on-field preparation instead of staging a holdout.
- GM Brandon Beane reiterated his commitment to retaining homegrown talent yet emphasized the need to balance Cook’s contract with both current cap limits and long-term roster planning.
- The franchise tag, estimated at $13 million to $14 million for running backs in 2026, remains Buffalo’s fallback if a multi-year extension cannot be finalized.
- Cook’s comments suggest he is prepared to play elsewhere should Buffalo be unable to meet his valuation, although he has expressed a preference to stay in Orchard Park.