Commitment Through 2029
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has signed a four-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2029 NFL season. Both Cook and the organization emphasized that remaining in Buffalo was their mutual goal, with Cook praising the franchise for drafting and developing him, and general manager Brandon Beane reaffirming the team’s commitment to retaining homegrown talent.
Cook becomes the fourth member of the Bills’ 2022 draft class to receive an extension, joining cornerback Christian Benford, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, and linebacker Terrel Bernard.
Breakout Performance in 2024
Cook had a standout 2024 season, scoring 108 points for Buffalo’s offense and tying the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns, matching the franchise single-season record set by O.J. Simpson in 1975. He recorded 207 carries for 1,009 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and added 32 receptions for 258 yards with two receiving touchdowns. This marked his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, a feat last accomplished for the Bills by LeSean McCoy in 2016–17.
In the postseason, Cook delivered his best playoff performance to date, rushing for 272 yards and three touchdowns over three games.
Career Progression and Consistency
Since being drafted in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft from the University of Georgia, Cook has steadily improved each year. His rushing yards have climbed from 507 in 2022 to 1,122 in 2023, and his rushing touchdowns jumped from two in 2023 to 16 in 2024. Over three seasons, Cook has amassed 533 carries for 2,638 rushing yards (4.9 yards per carry) and 20 rushing touchdowns, alongside 97 receptions for 883 yards and seven receiving touchdowns across 49 games and 29 starts.
Future Role in Buffalo’s Offense
Beane expressed confidence in Cook’s long-term value to the team, noting that the running back remains a young talent with plenty of durability left. With Cook locked in through 2029, the Bills aim to continue building their offense around his dynamic rushing and receiving abilities.