James Cook got a new contract last year and backed it up by leading the NFL is rushing.
Now, he’s underpaid.
The Buffalo Bills gave Cook a $46 million, four-year deal that’s a bargain compared to the money teams handed out to running backs this month.
He’s not complaining. At least, not publicly.
“Just keep growing, just keep elevating my game, be the best version of me,” Cook said on the AP’s “On Football” podcast. “Each and every day I step on the field,
sky’s the limit.”
Jahmyr Gibbs became the highest-paid running back in NFL history when the Detroit Lions signed him to a $67.5 million, three-year contract with $51.5 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $22.5 million.
Bijan Robinson received a $66.75 million, three-year deal from the Atlanta Falcons with $51.6 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $22.25 million.
The Indianapolis Colts gave Jonathan Taylor a $44 million, two-year deal.
Those contracts set a new bar for running backs, surpassing Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million annually) and Christian McCaffrey ($19 million annually).
Still, running backs are underpaid compared to wide receivers. Twenty-five receivers are making more money per season than Gibbs and Robinson. That includes Robinson’s teammate, Drake London. Robinson led the NFL last year in scrimmage yards with 2,298. London was 50th with 919 yards. But he’s making $13 million more per season.
After the season, running backs could make this an issue like they did a few years ago when they met virtually to discuss their contracts.
For now, it’s all business.
Cook is focused on trying to help the Bills get to an elusive Super Bowl victory.
Led by Josh Allen, Buffalo has won a playoff game in each of the past six seasons but hasn’t made it past the AFC championship game.
“We don’t have to do nothing but keep being us man, and just get over that hump,” Cook said. “The ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl, but you got to take day by day and step by step to get there. It ain’t gonna be easy. So we know that and each and every day, each and every week we step on the field, we’re trying to put our best foot forward to win.”
A frustrating loss to Denver in overtime in the divisional round last season cost coach Sean McDermott his job. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady was promoted to take his place so Allen, Cook and Co. will run the same system.
“Joe is going to be Joe,” Cook said. “He’s gonna let us be, let us have fun, but also be business as usual. So, I don’t think nothing changed, man. It’s just the same, it’s just us, man. But we got to do the little things different to get over that hump. And, I mean, we’ve been doing it, we’ve been working our tail off, and it’s going to show on Sundays.”
Cook ran for a career-best 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, earning his third straight Pro Bowl appearance and making the second team AP All-Pro team.
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