Over the last few years, the Buffalo Bills have become an arch-nemesis of the Kansas City Chiefs. They have had some tremendous postseason battles, including last season in the AFC title game.
The Bills came up short again, losing to the Chiefs by three points in the AFC Championship game. However, despite their shortcomings, the Bills still plan to be in the mix as they have the NFL MVP in star quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen is coming off a great 2024 and was rewarded with an MVP and a contract extension. But he didn’t do it alone, as standout running back James Cook gave the Bills a huge boost on the ground. Cook had his second-straight 1,000-plus yard rushing season (1,009) and scored 16 touchdowns on the ground (career-high).
Based on Cook’s performance over the last two years, he’s due for a nice contract extension, as he’s entering the last year of his rookie deal. However, Bills GM Brandon Beane doesn’t believe they’ll get a deal done with Cook before the 2025 NFL Draft late next month.
"I love Jimbo. Proud of his success just like these other guys that we got extended. I don’t talk about negotiations. I would say his reps and him did put it out there that we did talk, so I’m not sharing anything new.Bills GM Brandon Beane
It didn’t lead to anything as far as closing in on a deal, so we moved on to the guys that we were on the same page with. At this point, we’re onto the draft. I don’t see us doing any deals anytime soon."
This was certainly the most significant update we heard today from Brandon Beane. Doesn't sound like James Cook will be getting an extension this year from the Bills. #BillsMafia @WKBW pic.twitter.com/LacbFHtAau
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) March 30, 2025
If you are a Bills fan, you likely aren’t excited to hear that from the general manager, as Cook has been outspoken on social media about wanting to get what he deserves.
However, if you’re a Chiefs fan, this is great news. If the Bills want to play this dangerous game of not extending Cook, it could lead to him not returning to Buffalo in 2026, hurting Buffalo’s offense in the process.
The Chiefs shut down Cook in their first meeting last season in Week 11 (20 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and five receptions for seven yards). However, the 25-year-old running back got the best of KC in the AFC title game with 134 total yards and two rushing touchdowns on 16 touches.