James Cook has set his asking price.
The Bills running back, who is eligible for an extension ahead of what would be the final season of his rookie contract, wants the world (or maybe the Bills) to know that he wants to be paid like a top play-maker.
During an Instagram Live session Wednesday, Cook reportedly pinned his own comment that read, “15 mill year.”
A $15 million average annual value would rank second among NFL running backs, trailing only the $19 million for the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey.
If Cook hits his target, he would leapfrog the likes of the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor ($14 million), the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley ($12.583 million), the Saints’ Alvin Kamara ($12.25 million) and the Packers’ Josh Jacobs ($12 million).
The case against Cook would include the league-wide trend over most of the past decade that has moved away from paying running backs, who have been seen as often interchangeable and quickly declining.
The case for Cook would include his age (just 25), the fact he’s cracked the Pro Bowl twice in three NFL seasons and a possible evolution on how running backs are seen.
Will the ground success of the Super Bowl-winning Eagles — who paid Barkley, who quickly looked like a bargain — and other teams who devoted resources to running backs lead to a new look at the position?
The Titans let Derrick Henry go, and the Ravens scooped him up and received a nearly 2,000-rushing-yard season.
Former Packer Aaron Jones did well with the Vikings.
Green Bay grabbed Jacobs from the Raiders and were happy with the production.
Cook has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns last year. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and looks like one of the league’s best backs.
He has been a great value for the Bills and is set to make around $5 million in what would be his final guaranteed year in Buffalo.
