Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - As the Buffalo Bills continue to gear up for the start of the 2025 regular season in Orchard Park, there was one matter of business left to resolve before the opening kickoff on Sept. 7 in Orchard Park: A new contract for running back James Cook.
That matter was addressed on Wednesday, as the Bills announced a new four-year contract with the fourth-year running back that keeps him in Buffalo through the 2029 season. The deal is reportedly worth $48 million, with $30 million of that money guaranteed.
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One individual that is excited to see the contract situation now resolved and in the rear view mirror is Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
"James is a good player for us. You never want those things to happen in training camp, but good to finally have it over and done with, and we can move forward. Very happy to have that dealt with," said McDertmott on Wednesday while appearing on WGR during "Schopp and the Bulldog".
With the Cook contract now over, the focus for the remainder of training camp and the preseason will be on the mounting injuries facing the Bills.
One injury concern for the Bills is the status of starting left tackle Dion Dawkins, who did not practice on Wednesday with his teammates in Orchard Park. However, McDermott says the Pro-Bowl tackle is dealing with a back flare up, and the team is hopeful to see it calm down over the next 24-48 hours so he can travel to Chicago with the team.
The Bills will take part in a joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Friday, before both teams square off in the second preseason game of the year on Sunday night at Soldier Field.
This training camp has also offered some differences compared to years past, with one prominent difference being the presence of NFL Films crews to film HBO's "Hard Knock". One thing McDermott has been impressed with as he gets his team ready for the upcoming season is how the crews have been able to integrate themselves into the background and not be a distraction to the group.
“They do a good job of embedding themselves and laying low," McDermott said with Mike Schopp and Chris "Bulldog" Parker. "I think our team has done a really good job of handling it. There are times where you do want them to go away when you are trying to have a more private conversation or address the team when things are not all good. ... It does make for challenges in certain situations, but all-in-all, up to this point, it's been fine."
Hear more of McDermott’s appearance during "Schopp and the Bulldog" in the player below: