PITTSFORD 鈥 James Cook caught a swing pass from Josh Allen, cut toward the left sideline and ran past the Buffalo Bills鈥 first-team defense for what would have been a long touchdown at St. John Fisher University.
Cook has been vocal about his desire to be among the highest paid running backs in the NFL, and he showed through the first two days of training camp that he鈥檚 determined to show the Bills why he鈥檚 deserving of a lucrative contract.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had talks,鈥 Cook told reporters following practice Thursday. 鈥淚鈥檓 never going to give up. I deserve what I want and I need. It鈥檚 going to eventually happen.鈥
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook makes a catch Thursday during training camp in Pittsford.
The two-time Pro Bowler鈥檚 preference is to remain in Buffalo, but he鈥檚 prepared to go elsewhere if general manager Brandon Beane is unable or unwilling to meet Cook鈥檚 asking price. Beane made it clear Wednesday that they鈥檙e still too far apart for a deal to be completed.
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鈥淗owever it happens, it鈥檚 going to get done,鈥 Cook added. 鈥淲herever it happens at.鈥
The adjustments made this offseason by offensive coordinator Joe Brady may create more opportunities for Cook to make an impact. Even though Cook ran for 1,009 yards and an NFL-best 16 touchdowns, he played just 48% of the Bills鈥 offensive snaps during the regular season.
The 2022 second-round pick can strengthen his case for a big contract in Buffalo or elsewhere by showing that he can be trusted in every situation, particularly third down. His position group is among the deepest in the league, with second-year running back Ray Davis and third-down specialist Ty Johnson. Both have rotated into Cook鈥檚 spot in the first-team offense during camp, depending on the personnel package and situation.
Cook has consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and he was the first Bills player with 20-plus touchdowns in a season, including playoffs, since O.J. Simpson in 1975. Cook鈥檚 $5.701 million cap hit for 2025 ranks 18th among NFL running backs. He didn鈥檛 consider holding out because of the $50,000-per-day fines, so he鈥檚 going to show with his performance and effort that he鈥檚 worth the contract he wants.
Injury report
Five players did not participate in the second practice of training camp: tight end Dawson Knox (hamstring), center Sedrick Van Pan-Granger (calf), right tackle Spencer Brown (back), wide receiver/kick returner Laviska Shenault (lower leg) and defensive tackle Zion Logue (undisclosed).
Inside linebacker Dion Williams limped off the field following the first play of team work and did not return to practice. Edge rusher A.J. Epenesa also missed the final team period after his right foot/ankle were examined by a trainer.
Planning ahead
Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa did not participate in some team drills Thursday, part of the coaches鈥 plan to monitor the veteran鈥檚 snaps as a precaution during camp.
Bosa worked off to the side with defensive line coach Marcus West, which led to more first-team snaps for Michael Hoecht, who will be suspended six games to start the season. Hoecht was disruptive throughout practice Thursday, and he flexed his versatility by lining up in different spots on the defensive line.
Easing in
Landon Jackson, the rookie pass rusher drafted by the Bills in the third round, participated in team drills Thursday after he was limited to individual work in Day 1 of training camp because he spent one week on the physically unable to perform list. Jackson rotated into the second-team defense with fellow rookies T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker.
Lineup
Mike White got more snaps than Mitch Trubisky with the second-team offense. ... Tre鈥橠avious White got the lion鈥檚 share of work in the second cornerback spot. ... Keon Coleman was a frequent target of Josh Allen throughout practice, a bounce-back day for the second-year receiver. ... Joshua Palmer is going to have a prominent role in this offense. He and Allen have long conversations between drills, covering possible adjustments to route pacing and ball placement.
Next
The Bills return to the practice field at 9:45 a.m. Friday, with defensive coordinator Bobby Babich scheduled to address the media.
