Photo: Getty Images
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was absent from the beginning of his team's voluntary offseason team activities on Tuesday (May 27), head coach Sean McDermott confirmed via NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Cook, 25, who initially became eligible for an extension this offseason, was the only player absent, according to McDermott, who also said newly acquired defensive end Joey Bosa would be out "for the foreseeable future" due to a calf issue.
"#Bills coach Sean McDermott says all players are present for OTAs except RB James Cook, while Joey Bosa pulled a calf and will be out for the foreseeable future," Pelissero wrote on his X account.
Cook had previously written, "15 mill year," in a comment he pinned during the live stream, referring to his apparent $15 million annual asking price, which would make him the third-highest-paid running back in the NFL, tied with Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens and behind only Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles ($20.6 million) and Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers (19 million), according to OverTheCap.com.
Cook's apparent asking price was revealed weeks after his older brother, former All-Pro running back Dalvin Cook, publicly campaigned for him to be the highest-paid running back in the NFL, posting, "$20,000,000/yr," on his X account in response to the NFL's post of his brother's touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game.
Cook's extension eligibility comes in an offseason in which the running back position has seen a financial renaissance. McCaffrey signed his extension last offseason while Barkley, who signed with the Eagles after spending his entire career with the NFC East Division rival New York Giants, proved to be the NFL's best free agent signing, leading the NFL in rushing with 2,005 yards, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to exceed 2,000 yards, and leading all players with 499 yards, five touchdowns and 91 attempts during Philadelphia's Super Bowl run.
Cook recorded 1,009 yards and a league-best 16 touchdowns on 207 rushing attempts, as well as 32 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season, as well as 272 yards and three touchdowns on 272 rushing attempts in three playoff games.