Bills running back James Cook ends contract standoff by agreeing to four-year, $48 million deal

Bills running back James Cook has ended a contract standoff by agreeing to a four-year, $48 million deal, two people with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills running back James Cook ended a contract standoff by agreeing to a four-year, $48 million deal on Wednesday, two people with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press.

The contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money, one of the people said. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract has not yet been announced.

The Athletic first reported the agreement.

The new deal comes a day after the fourth-year player ended his weeklong standoff by returning to practice. Cook skipped four straight sessions and although he took part in warmups, he declined to play in Buffalo’s preseason-opener against the New York Giants on Saturday.

Cook was the NFL’s co-leader with 16 touchdowns rushing last season.

After practicing fully during the Bills’ first eight sessions of training camp, Cook began his “hold-in” on Aug. 3 by watching practice wearing a white sweatsuit along the sideline.

Cook also declined to participate in the Bills' voluntary spring sessions before reporting and practicing in the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp in June.

He said the reason behind his decision to report was not wanting to risk getting fined.

“I like my money,” Cook said. “That’s why I’m here.”

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