Buffalo Bills general manager has not normally been one to air grievances about players or discuss private contract talks in public, but star running back James Cook may have forced his hand this week.
Cook returned to the start of training camp amid a contract dispute with the team, but sat out of the team’s practice on Sunday and gave only a cryptic response when asked about the hold-in by reporters. The running back had publicly pushed for a new deal and a $15 million per year salary — which Beane publicly rebuffed earlier in the offseason — but now could be making a more aggressive stance toward getting a new deal.
Bills GM: ‘It’s Disappointing’
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Beane said there had been “constant communication” between the team and Cook’s camp leading up to Sunday’s decision to remain on the sidelines during practice. Beane made it clear that he wasn’t happy with Cook’s approach.
“It’s disappointing,” he said.
Beane added that this is the first time during his tenure with the team that a player chose to take this tactic.
“At the end of the day I wish we weren’t here,” Beane said. “This is my ninth season and have never had a player miss practice due to a contract.”
Beane’s comments came in sharp contrast to the start of training camp, when he praised Cook for taking the field despite the ongoing contract dispute.
“Sometimes you can’t get on the same page, or sometimes you’re trying to fit it in,” Beane said in late July, via ESPN. “There’s times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn’t make it work. But I can tell you, I’m hopeful when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue.”
James Cook Sits Out Again
Cook was in attendance when the team practiced on Monday, but again sat out while his teammates participated in drills. The running back — who led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns last season — would not give details on his decision, simply telling reporters “it’s business” when asked about why he was sitting out.
Despite Cook sitting out, NFL.com insider Tom Pelissero reported later in the day that the two sides had been engaging in contract talks and actually made some progress toward a new deal. He added that time could be running out to reach a deal, however.
“The sides have been engaged. From my understanding, they have not been that far apart through the course of the talks,” Pelissero said. “James Cook did show up and was fully participating in practice during training camp until today. ⦠My understanding of where things stand here is, again, these sides have been in talks for a long time, they have not been that far off, but this is kind of like fourth-and-goal in the AFC Championship Game. Is James Cook going to get them across the goal line? Are the Bills going to be able to do their part to back it up?”
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