Buffalo Bills standout running back James Cook has stepped away from the team in the wake of an unresolved contract standoff, which has put his availability for the 2025 NFL season into question. As reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter,

James Cook isn’t running back to Buffalo, at least not until his contract situation is resolved. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter sounded the alarm on his podcast, saying the Bills running back has “basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city,

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook already skipped OTAs and may not attend mandatory minicamp amid an ongoing contract dispute. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Cook is "unhappy" with his situation and "disconnected" himself from the team and the city of Buffalo ahead of the 2025 season.