Buffalo Bills running back James Cook’s contract saga has been one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 NFL offseason.
Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and as of now, the team has shown no signs of reaching a deal.
Right after the season, Cook commented on Instagram live, stating that he wants $15 million a season. Paying a running back $15 million a year is a steep price, considering they have several players locked up under contract for many years.
Running back is a position that many of the top teams won’t sign to heavy contracts unless they are affordable, and the Bills aren’t in that position at the moment.
The good news is Cook still has one more season left in Buffalo, and there could still be contract talks between the two parties before the running back hits free agency next winter.
If Cook isn’t back with the team in 2026, then the Bills will likely try to find a replacement for him through the NFL Draft.
Every year, a handful of running backs get drafted, and a bunch of them make an impact on Day 1 on their NFL team.
Bills Urged To Watch Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton
With Buffalo not having many draft needs, the team could take a running back high. Tarringo Basile-Vaughan from NFL Mocks thinks the Bills should be watching Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton this college football season.
” If James Cook doesn’t get what he wants as far as a new contract, the Bills may be in the market for a new starting running back once the 2025 NFL season comes to an end. Even if Cook does get a deal, the Bills may be smart to add another workhorse back to the mix. That’s where Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton could be a good fit as a potential late first-round, Day 2 fit,” Basile-Vaughan wrote.
“As a junior, Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards on 172 carries with Penn State. This was highlighted by a 58-yard touchdown run to seal a Fiesta Bowl victory for the Nittany Lions. At 6-foot-0, 224 pounds, Singleton displays great burst and outstanding speed. His ability to make sudden cuts while accelerating makes him a big play waiting to happen whenever he touches the ball. As either a replacement for Cook or a running back brought in to form a two-headed monster in the Bills’ backfield behind Allen, Singleton is a prospect worth watching for the Bills.”
Singleton Is Trying To Win A College Championship
In 41 games for Penn State, Singleton has rushed 2,912 yards and 32 scores.
Singleton could’ve been a high draft pick this past spring, but decided to return to Penn State to try to win a national championship.
The last three years in college football have seen many draft-eligible players decide to return to school at programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State to win the title.
Michigan and Ohio State were both able to win it all, and now it’s up to Singleton and Penn State to follow in their footsteps.
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