Why James Cook isn't at OTAs for Bills even after contract news

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May 20, 2026 - 11:28

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Why James Cook isn't at OTAs for Bills even after contract news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

James Cook got paid last offseason.

It was a big deal as the Buffalo Bills handed out a bunch of contract extensions in 2025, but Cook had to wait his turn.

Finally, he got the deal he felt he deserved, and then he turned in a great season for the Bills.

He's an unquestioned top RB at this point, one of the best in the league, and a key piece to Buffalo's hopes for the upcoming 2026 NFL season.

He also wasn't at OTAs on Tuesday, though, which surprised some given he isn't holding out for a new deal now.

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Why isn't James Cook at OTAs?

The reality is that no one really knows.

Cook may eventually provide more insight, but for now, it's just clear that Cook wasn't present on Tuesday, and that he wasn't alone in his absence:

At Bills' first voluntary OTA open to media, I did not see RB James Cook III, WR Max Tomczak, FB Jackson Acker, DT Ed Oliver, LBs Dorian Williams and Joe Andreessen, S Cole Bishop and CB Christian Benford.

OL Lloyd Cushenberry III and S Jordan Hancock in red non-contact jerseys— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) May 19, 2026

OTAs are voluntary, and players miss out all the time for a variety of reasons.

Some star players simply spend time elsewhere. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson classically misses OTAs, and Browns star Myles Garrett wasn't there this week when the Browns started their workouts.

Sure, it'd be nice if everyone showed up. Josh Allen is in attendance for Buffalo.

But the reality is that it isn't yet a big deal, unless proven otherwise.