The Buffalo Bills returned to St. John Fisher University for training camp following their record-breaking “Return of the Red & Blue” practice on Highmark Stadium on August 1.
Before the players took the field, Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced a list of 12 players who would not participate on Sunday, August 3.
McDermott named wide receivers Curtis Samuel, Kaden Prather, and Joshua Samuel, cornerback Maxwell Hairston, linebackers Dorian Williams and Shaq Thompson, kicker Tyler Bass, safety Cole Bishop, center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, offensive lineman Alec Anderson, offensive tackle Spencer Brown, and fullback Reggie Gilliam.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard and right tackle Spencer Brown were limited, but McDermott didn’t say anything about James Cook not playing. However, the team’s No. 1 running back did not suit up.
The Bills’ second-round pick from the 2022 NFL draft is one of quarterback Josh Allen‘s top targets. After registering 237 rushes for 1,122 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, he went off with 1,009 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He also notched 32 receptions for 258 yards and two receiving scores.
However, Cook is also looking to make $15 million a year on a new contract that the Bills have not offered him.
Bills RB James Cook Merely Said ‘Business’ On Why He Didn’t Practice on Sunday
GettyBills running back James Cook at Camping World Stadium on February 02, 2025.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg approached Cook and asked Cook why he wasn’t practicing. “Business,” he answered. When asked if he’ll practice tomorrow, “Business,” Cook said. He “kept repeating ‘business’ over and over” Getzenberg noted.
When the Bills were asked why Cook wasn’t practicing, they had no comment, The Buffalo News’ Katherine Fitzgerald reported. This is a stark change of tone from when Cook first arrived to training camp two weeks ago.
While some players hold out from training camp amid contract negotiations, Cook values his money and his teammates. “It’s my job. I’ve got to participate so I won’t get fined. Come out here and just show them that I’m ready to go and earn what I’ve got to go get,” he told reporters.
“I don’t owe it to nobody but my teammates and myself and my family. So by me participating, showing my teammates that I love the game and that I’m willing to be out here.”
While Cook insinuated he’ll go to whatever team is willing to pay him after his rookie contract expires this season, he’d like to remain in Buffalo long-term. “Quarterback, and the fans,” Cooke said. “It’s a great organization, and I mean, they drafted me. They drafted me for a reason, I feel like, and I’m willing to be here and spend the rest of my career here.”
Bills GM Brandon Beane Is ‘Hopeful’ They Can Extend James Cook
During a press conference last week, Bills general manager Brandon Beane reiterated that he loves Cook, but other factors play into making him one of the league’s highest-paid running backs.
“Sometimes you can’t get on the same page or sometimes you’re trying to fit it in,” Beane said. “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.”
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