Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook signs $46M contract extension

Running back James Cook agreed to a three‑year extension with the Buffalo Bills worth $46 million, giving him an average annual value of $11.5 million. The deal places Cook seventh on the NFL’s total‑value list for running backs and eighth in guaranteed money, behind players such as Breece Hall and ahead of Kenneth Walker.

Cook’s production backs the contract: he rushed for 1,621 yards last season, tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns, and has been among the top scrimmage‑yard gainer since 2023. The extension comes as the running‑back market heats up, with recent deals for Jonathan Taylor, Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson all exceeding $20 million per year. In a lighter moment, Cook presented quarterback Josh Allen with a custom golf cart bearing Allen’s No. 17 as a preseason gift, underscoring the duo’s on‑field chemistry.

Analysts note that while Cook’s average annual value trails the new $22 million‑plus contracts signed by other elite backs, his guaranteed money remains competitive, reflecting the Bills’ confidence in his role as a core offensive weapon.