James Cook ranks fourth on the Buffalo Bills’ list of most important players heading into the 2026 NFL season. The running back, who will be 26 years old at the start of the campaign, is entering his fifth professional year with a salary cap hit of $5.88 million.
Cook delivered a career-best performance in 2025 after signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension during training camp. The versatile back appeared in every game for Buffalo, capturing the NFL rushing title with 1,621 yards and adding 291 receiving yards for a total of 14 touchdowns. His average of 95.4 rushing yards per game led the entire league during that period.
Moving forward, Cook will remain the Bills’ primary running back in an offense that led the NFL with 547 rushing attempts last year. New offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has indicated interest in expanding Cook’s role in the passing game, noting his potential to create big plays when given opportunities. Carmichael previously worked with productive pass-catching backs in New Orleans, including Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara. Cook has averaged just 32.5 receptions annually throughout his four-year career, suggesting room for growth in this area.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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