James Cook demanding $15 million/year extension from Bills sparks WILD reactions from fans – “Bro thinks he’s Saquon”

Bills' James Cook ignited a firestorm of reactions from fans after publicly declaring his desire for $15 million per year contract extension. 

James Cook demanding $15 million/year extension from Bills sparks WILD reactions from fans – “Bro thinks he’s Saquon”

James Cook (Via The Daily Mail)

Despite a season that has been primarily about the running backs of the league, James Cook’s extension expectations aren’t sitting well among the fans. The Buffalo Bills running back has ignited a firestorm of reactions from fans after publicly declaring his desire for a whopping $15 million per year contract extension. 

During an Instagram Live session, the Bills’ star running back declared his expectations amid the ongoing buzz around his extension after a season with an AFC Championship game appearance. The lucrative $15 million annually would position as the second highest-paid running back in the NFL, trailing only Christian McCaffrey’s $19 million annual salary.

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But what caught the attention of the NFL fans was that Cook’s new extension will surpass Saquon Barkley’s $12.58 million annual salary, who is coming off having the best season of his career by joining the 2,000 rushing yards club and winning his first Super Bowl ring– that too in his debut appearance. 

Meanwhile, Cook is coming off a strong performance of recording over 1,000 rushing yards and tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns. His impressive stats have led many to believe that he deserves a substantial pay increase, especially considering his age of 25 years compared to other top running backs like Barkley and Derrick Henry. 

Though it’s only been three seasons for Cook in the NFL, he still has a bright future ahead of him. But whether the Bills will choose to reward Cook for his performance and contributions in leading the Bills to the conference championship game remains uncertain. 

Fans react to James Cook demanding $15 million/year extension from Bills

The reactions to Cook’s high expectations from the fans have been mixed. While some support his ambition and recognize his contributions to the team, others have questioned whether the Bills could afford such a high salary given their current salary cap constraints and if that is so, if he deserves this.

James Cook
James Cook (Image via AP)

One fan wrote on X, “Bro thinks he’s Saquon,” while another proposed, “I’m thinking no on $15 mil, maybe around $10 – $12 mil.” Here are some of the fan reactions:

Currently, the young running back is set to earn $5.19 million in 2025 courtesy of the incentives tied to the collective bargaining agreement and his on-field achievements during the final year of his second-round contract.

The franchise also has the option of using the franchise tag on Cook through the 2026 season and if the anticipated rise in salary cap turns out to be true, that one-year tender could approach his desired $15 million. 

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