Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl running back James Cook, who is seeking a contract extension, is going to continue to push for a new deal despite being a full participant in training camp. While speaking to reporters today, Cook opened by explaining the financial motivations to show up for practice.

“It’s my job, you know? I got to participate so I won’t get fined,” he said. “Just come out here, and just show them that I’m ready to go and earn what I got to go get.”

While other NFL stars like Trey Hendrickson and Terry McLaurin are staging holdouts in the hopes of receiving contract extensions, that thought never went through Cook’s mind.

“I didn’t really think about it. I just knew I was going to come out here and work,” he stated. “I don’t owe it to nobody but my teammates and myself and my family. So, by me participating, [I’m] showing my teammates that I love the game, and I’m willing to be out here.”

It also doesn’t hurt that showing up for training camp could create more goodwill between Cook and the Bills.

“It gives me a little leverage,” he explained. “Show them that I care about it and that I’m willing to do it and willing to come out here and participate and show my teammates that I’m willing to be out here and compete with them guys.”

Cook admitted that the desire to receive a contract extension provides him with extra motivation to continue to build on back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.

“We have talks. I’m never going to give up,” he said confidently. “I mean, I deserve what I want, [what] I need, and it’s going to eventually happen.”

Cook said that his teammates have his back in these negotiations. They have been “very supportive” throughout this process.

“I don’t really talk to them about things like that, but I just kind of like not want to bring that up to the team and be a distraction,” Cook explained. “So, I just kind of stay to myself and just let my agents and those guys work things out.”

He eventually said something somewhat concerning for Bills fans.

“I mean, however it’s happening, it’s going to get done, wherever it happens at,” Cook clarified.

“When James came in for the mandatory camp, we spoke,” general manager Brandon Beane told reporters yesterday. “We’ve always had a good relationship. And – as I’ve said all along – I love James Cook… I want to draft, develop, [and] re-sign our own.”

As good as that might sound, there are decisions that Beane and the Bills need to make to ensure they can sign Cook and still have enough money to add other players in-season and next off-season.

“It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap,” Beane explained. “We also have to look at ’26, ’27, and beyond because you can walk yourself into one of those years where you’re like, ‘Oh man, there’s not a lot of guys we can take down.’ We would have to trade or cut someone that we wouldn’t want to lose. So, it’s not only 2025 when we’re doing a deal with him or any other player. All those things have to make sense for us to fit it in.”

The good news is that Brandon Beane is going to be transparent with players on the Bills’ roster regarding contract negotiations.

“I think everyone knows I’m going to have an open dialogue with the players,” he said. “That’s just who I am. And, we’ll let the business take care of itself.”

Either way, it sounds like James Cook wants to continue his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. He said that the “quarterback and the fans” are two of the biggest reasons why he wants to remain in Buffalo.

“It’s a great organization,” Cook said. “They drafted me for a reason, I feel like. I’m willing to be here and spend the rest of my career here.”