The Buffalo Bills’ offseason has been quiet. There hasn’t been much drama around the team except for running back James Cook’s contract.
Cook is entering his fourth NFL season. Since he wasn’t a first-round pick, he doesn’t have a fifth-year option in his contract. The 25-year-old running back deal comes to an end after the season.
James Cook Is On The Final Year Of His Contract
There hasn’t been any movement on contract talks between the Bills and Cook. Currently, Cook will be playing this season in his last year of his deal.
The good news is Cook isn’t causing any distractions without a new deal. Usually, star players looking for a new contract hold out or ask to be traded, but not Cook.
When training camp started, the two-time Pro Bowler was ready to go just like every other player. When Cook got to camp, he sat with a few new and old faces.
This offseason, the Bills signed running back Darrynton Evans to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Evans has been in the NFL since 2020, playing for the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins.
Evans has played in 24 games, rushing for 249 yards and one score. Those stats don’t scream of someone who will likely make the roster, but the Bills probably signed him for roster depth.
Behind James Cook are running backs Ty Johnson and Ray Davis. Usually, NFL teams only carry three running backs, so Evans will likely be the odd man out.
Bill Urged Not To Keep Evans
Brandon Ray from Fansided thinks Evans will likely be cut from the 53-man roster this summer.
“Darrynton Evans has yet to take a regular-season snap for the Bills. He signed with the team last offseason and didn’t make the roster,” Ray wrote. “He signed with the Bills again after spending time in Chicago last season. Unless an injury happens in the running back room, the same result should be expected where he doesn’t make the cut.”
Evans was likely signed in case Cook was going to hold out, and the Bills had a running back they were familiar with. Since Evans spent time in Buffalo last offseason, they knew who he was.
With Cook ready to roll for the start of the season, it doesn’t seem like Evans will make the active roster.
It will be interesting to see how the Bills handle the running back room this season with Cook heading towards free agency. They may take snaps away from him to see how Davis and Johnson do. If Johnson and Davis show signs that they can be the answer at running back, then the Bills might not need to sign Cook.
The Bills will open their preseason against the New York Giants on Saturday, August 9th. Evans can use the preseason reps to either make a name for himself in Buffalo or elsewhere.
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