Overview

• Cook’s decision to suit up but not practice illustrates the hold-in tactic players use to preserve playing status while pressing for extensions.
• He repeatedly told reporters “Business” when asked why he skipped practice, signaling his focus on contract leverage.
• NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reports that Buffalo and Cook remain engaged in talks and are not far apart on key financial terms.
• The Bills face tight cap space after extending three 2022 draft classmates, making Cook’s reported $15 million-per-year target difficult to accommodate.
• Should talks stall, Buffalo can turn to depth backs Ray Davis and Ty Johnson or deploy the franchise tag to retain leverage.