Bills OTAs (June 2, 2025): James Cook contract talks stall & Joey Bosa injured. Can Josh Allen, after his 2024 MVP, lead the team? Get updates.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Monday, June 2nd, brought a mixed bag of news from Orchard Park as the Buffalo Bills continued their OTA practices. While the promise of a new season and a reloaded roster builds anticipation, concerns around star running back James Cook's contract situation and a fresh injury to newly acquired edge rusher Joey Bosa cast a slight shadow. However, optimism around Josh Allen's continued ascent and defensive improvements keeps the Bills Mafia buzzing.
Despite ongoing contract negotiations with James Cook and Joey Bosa's early injury, the Bills are currently favored in all 17 regular season games following Josh Allen's 2024 MVP season.
The biggest off-field storyline revolves around Pro Bowl running back James Cook. The 25-year-old, who amassed an impressive 1,267 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns in 2024, has been absent from the voluntary offseason program. NFL insider Albert Breer reported that the Bills and Cook are 'not close' to an agreement on a contract extension, with Cook reportedly seeking $15 million per season as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, set to pay him $5.2 million. GM Brandon Beane had previously acknowledged the gap in negotiations. While head coach Sean McDermott confirmed he's been in contact with Cook, and left tackle Dion Dawkins downplayed the absence, it's a situation fans are watching closely. Adding to the early camp concerns, prized free-agent signing Joey Bosa is sidelined with a calf injury sustained during workouts last week. McDermott expressed some concern over Bosa's durability, given his injury history, but expects the edge rusher, signed to a one-year, $12.6 million deal, to be ready for training camp in late July. Bosa is expected to miss all spring practices.
With Bosa temporarily on the mend, the focus intensifies on the rest of the defensive line. Defensive Coordinator Bobby Babich shared insights on how the team's new defensive linemen are expected to bolster the pass rush, a critical area for improvement. A.J. Epenesa is also stepping up, determined to become the impactful pass rusher the Bills envision for the 2025 season. Described as a 'low-maintenance, tireless worker,' Epenesa's intangibles and dedication could see him make a significant leap this year, providing crucial pressure upfront.
On the offensive side, the optimism surrounding quarterback Josh Allen continues to build. Analysis suggests that the Bills' massive $330 million investment in their franchise QB is poised to pay significant dividends in the 2025 season, with the deal being lauded as a 'no-brainer' for Buffalo. Furthermore, discussions are swirling about the potential for Allen and the offense to unleash an even more aggressive air attack this year. With Allen's arm talent and an evolving group of pass-catchers, the Bills might be looking to light up scoreboards even more frequently. The team is also keeping an eye on potential practice squad players who could emerge as surprise contributors.
Looking ahead, the expectations for the Bills remain incredibly high. Fox Sports recently released game-by-game predictions for the 2025 season, projecting a strong 12-5 final record for Buffalo. While the analysis predicts a tough season-opening loss against the Ravens, it foresees the Bills finishing the season powerfully. Impressively, following Allen's MVP campaign in 2024 and their run to the AFC Championship Game, the Bills are currently favored in all 17 of their regular-season matchups. This widespread confidence speaks volumes about the team's perceived strength, even with current offseason questions.
As the Bills wrap up their second week of OTAs and look towards mandatory minicamp, the focus will be on finding resolutions for Cook's contract, getting Bosa healthy, and continuing to build chemistry on both sides of the ball. Despite some early offseason hurdles, the talent and ambition in Buffalo remain sky-high, promising another electrifying season for the Bills Mafia.
