FRISCO - James Cook is the only member of the Buffalo Bills who is staying away from OTAs, as he has been in a contract dispute with the franchise dating back to the end of the 2024 season regarding a potential extension.
And there are predictions now ...
A prediction of a Buffalo disaster in a "gruesome'' picture painting by ESPN's Adam Schefter ...
And a prediction of a Dallas Cowboys connection to the star that our NFL insider Mike Fisher labels "absurd.''
Cook wants to become one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. He certainly has an impressive resume, posting back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Still, the Bills have been tentative to give the two-time Pro Bowler a salary of $15 million, as he has requested on social media. This dispute could in theory lead to Cook's time as a Bill nearing the end, either through a trade or Cook hitting free agency after the upcoming season.
Said Schefter on his podcast: “It bears watching because you've got a guy who's unhappy with this contractual situation, who has basically disconnected himself from the organization, the city, put his house up for sale. I don't think we'll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon, and again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don't have a deal done there by then, does James Cook show up for training camp?''
We think Schefter is overreacting here ... but not as much as Pro Football Network, which is proposing a trade that would bring the Buffalo running back to Dallas.
"Cook offers proven production and the ability to carry a full workload. In an offense led by Dak Prescott and supported by a high-powered receiving corps, Cook could become the featured back Dallas needs,'' PFN writes. "The Cowboys also have the cap space to offer Cook an extension if he becomes a long-term fit.''
Responds Fish: "I don't think PFN exactly has the pulse of the situation here. Dallas will not - under virtually any circumstance - pay $15 million per year for a running back. to pretend otherwise is absurd.''
The Cowboys are presently hoping some combination of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue gets the job done at tailback.
There is another problem here: The Bills are trying to win a Super Bowl. And their backups (Ty Johnson and Ray Davis) are not equipped to do that on Cook's level.
So Schefter's panic and PFN's silliness aside, the Bills and Cook truly need each other here. And just because Dallas could use a Cook-like back doesn't mean it's even close to the realm of possibility here.
Want more Cowboys? Enter the Fish Report!
