The Buffalo Bills are off to an undefeated start, but the team could have another major contract decision waiting for it after the 2026 season.
Running back James Cook is already under contract through 2029 after signing a four-year, $46 million extension before the 2025 season. However, the NFL’s rapidly changing running back market could put Buffalo in a difficult position if Cook continues producing at his current level.
James Cook is already outperforming his contract
Cook has quickly become one of the most important pieces of Buffalo’s offense.
The 27-year-old led the NFL in rushing last season and has continued his strong production in 2026. Through three games, Cook has rushed for 346 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries while adding four receptions for 16 yards.
The problem for Buffalo is that the running back market has changed considerably since Cook signed his extension.
According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Cook currently ranks 13th among running backs in average annual salary. Meanwhile, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor have all surpassed $20 million per year this offseason.
Cook is scheduled to make just $9.7 million in 2027, which could become increasingly modest if he continues performing like one of the league’s top backs.
Buffalo could face a difficult decision
Fowler believes Cook’s contract could become an issue next offseason, particularly if the Bills make a deep playoff run and Cook remains a major part of their success.
“If the Bills make a deep run and Cook is a big part of it, I could see his contract becoming a sticking point,” Fowler wrote.
That’s where things could get complicated for Buffalo.
Cook is already under contract for several more seasons, meaning the Bills aren’t facing an immediate need to extend him. But the team also has to consider the message it sends if the market continues to move while one of its best offensive players remains well below the top of the position’s salary structure.
Buffalo previously opened contract negotiations early with Josh Allen, eventually making its franchise quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. Whether the Bills would take a similar approach with a running back remains unclear especially in the market where running backs have not been valued as much as of late.
Joe Brady knows Cook’s value
Bills head coach Joe Brady has already made it clear how highly the organization values Cook.
Brady called Cook the best running back in the NFL heading into the 2026 season and challenged to become even more complete.
“I think you saw the best running back in the league last year,” Brady said. “You can argue he was the best player on the field.”
Brady also emphasized that Cook still has room to improve and expects him to remain Buffalo’s workhorse.
That could make the contract conversation even more interesting.
If Cook continues producing at an elite level and helps Buffalo make a deep postseason run, the Bills could have to decide whether to adjust a contract that still has multiple years remaining.
For now, Cook remains focused on helping Buffalo win. But his contract could become one of the team’s biggest offseason storylines.
