The Buffalo Bills are sitting pretty at 3-0 to kick off the 2026 season, and their offense is absolutely humming, especially with James Cook III leading the charge in the backfield. But here’s the kicker, folks: while Cook is tearing up the league, his contract is already looking like a massive headache for Buffalo next offseason, thanks to an explosion in running back deals across the NFL.
Cook’s Value Just Exploded, But His Paycheck Did Not
This dude is a beast, right? James Cook III signed a four-year, $46 million extension *before* the 2025 season, and he’s more than earned it. He already snagged a rushing title, and guess what? Through just three games this year, he’s third in the league with a sick 346 rushing yards. The guy has been one of the top running backs in the game for two seasons straight. He deserves top-tier money, no question, and frankly, the Bills’ running back room is something they can be very confident in because of him.
The Running Back Market Went Absolutely Bonkers
Here’s where it gets wild for the Bills. That $46 million deal Cook signed? It felt big then, but the running back market has gone absolutely bananas since. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped the bomb, revealing Cook’s contract now ranks as only the 13th-highest among running backs. Think about it: Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, and even rookie Jeremiyah Love have all landed massive deals that blew past what Cook is making. He might not eclipse the $20 million per year mark those guys hit, but something around $15 million per year for Cook would totally be justified. Heck, even close to $20 million per year would be worth it for this guy.
The Bills’ Pricey Dilemma Is Looming
So, what’s Buffalo gotta do? Cook is technically under contract through 2029, so they don’t *have* to do anything immediately. But this isn’t just about sticking to a deal. Cook is only 27, hitting his prime, and if he keeps tearing it up this 2026 season, giving him an extension with more cash and maybe an extra year or two of control just makes sense. For a player like Cook, who has been a cornerstone of that Bills offense and a major reason they’re 3-0, you gotta lock him up for the foreseeable future. It’ll cost ’em, but it sounds like a price they shouldn’t even blink at if they want to keep that offense in fantastic shape.
The Bills might be cruising now at 3-0, but this James Cook III situation is going to be a huge topic come next offseason. They’ve got a superstar in the backfield, and they’ll have to decide if they’re ready to pay the premium to keep him happy and in Buffalo for the long haul. The clock is ticking on making that tough call.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply