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- NFL. Game Changer: The Buffalo Bills' $330M masterstroke to conquer Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs
After falling just short of reaching the Super Bowl, losing in the AFC Championship game to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills have been working in free agency with the goal of building a competitive team to have another opportunity to compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Without a doubt, the biggest move the Bills have made was the one signed by Josh Allen. The well-deserved MVP of the previous season signed a $330 million contract with $250 million guaranteed, setting a new NFL record for guaranteed money.
In addition, Buffalo has extended several players, mainly with long-term deals for cornerback Christian Benford, defensive end Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard, and receiver Khalil Shakir.
Brandon Beane, the team's general manager, has one pending matter: James Cook
The Buffalo Bills running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and has sent signals through social media and different media outlets that his desire is to receive a contract paying around $15 million annually, to become one of the highest-paid players at his position.
However, the team's management has other plans if they want to re-sign him, but it seems they are not willing to meet Cook's asking price.
"I love Jimbo (James Cook). I'm proud of his success, just like the other guys we've extended," said Beane, through a video by Matthew Bove of WKBW. "I don't talk about negotiations. I'd say his representatives and he made it clear that we talked, so I'm not sharing anything new. It didn't lead to anything in of closing a deal, so we moved on to the guys with whom we were on the same page. At this point, we're focused on the draft... I don't see us making any deals soon."
It seems this will be a saga that is starting little by little. Cook's big desire is $15 million annually, which would place him just behind NFL stars Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
One of the arguments from James Cook's agents is that he has two seasons with over 1,000 yards, two Pro Bowls, and in 2024, he scored 16 rushing touchdowns. If no agreement is reached, Cook would become a free agent next year, although the team could use the franchise tag to retain him.