James Cook, the Buffalo Bills running back, has had an outstanding season, tallying 1,267 total yards and 18 touchdowns, leading to his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2024. With such impressive stats, Cook is angling for a lucrative contract extension before the 2025-26 season begins. Interestingly, he has unfollowed the Bills on social media and removed most of his Bills-related posts, a move reminiscent of other players negotiating new contracts.

Cook is likely seeking guidance from his brother, Dalvin Cook, who has advised him on handling contract negotiations. If James secures the deal he desires, he could become the second-highest-paid running back in the NFL in 2025, just behind Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers. However, despite head coach Sean McDermott's positive remarks about Cook, the Bills face salary cap pressures, raising questions about whether they will meet his financial expectations.

James Cook's impressive performance in the 2024 season, featuring 1,267 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns, has positioned him as a cornerstone for the Buffalo Bills. Following a second Pro Bowl selection, discussions surrounding a lucrative contract extension have intensified. Cook's older brother, Dalvin, advocates for a long-term deal, citing the need to secure Cook as a vital player for Buffalo's future success.

While the Bills' fanbase rallies behind Dalvin's sentiment, the franchise faces challenges in meeting Cook's reported $15 million annual salary request, potentially making him the second-highest-paid running back in the league by 2025. The ongoing speculation raises crucial questions about Buffalo's financial flexibility and their strategy moving forward.

The Dallas Cowboys and running back Ezekiel Elliott have parted ways for the second consecutive season as the team granted his release. Elliott, a three-time Pro Bowler, requested the move to pursue opportunities with playoff contenders. Head coach Mike McCarthy attributed the decision to the emergence of Rico Dowdle, who became the first undrafted player in Cowboys history to rush for 1,000 yards, significantly diminishing Elliott's role.

Since Week 11, Dowdle has excelled, amassing 633 rushing yards, ranking fifth in the NFL during that timeframe. In contrast, Elliott's performance plummeted, recording career lows in multiple rushing categories, including just 226 yards and three touchdowns this season. McCarthy acknowledged Elliott's past contributions but emphasized the competitive nature of the running back position, leading to Dowdle's ascendance.

The Dallas Cowboys have made headlines by releasing Ezekiel Elliott, ending his tumultuous second stint with the team. Elliott's return was initially celebrated, but it quickly devolved into confusion and frustration over his diminishing role. Despite starting the season opener, his performance fell short, leading to a total of 226 rushing yards on 74 carries and three touchdowns throughout the season.

As the season progressed, Elliott's situation became increasingly complicated. He faced a suspension for tardiness to team meetings and struggled to find his place in a running back committee with Rico Dowdle, who emerged as the primary ball-carrier. Dowdle's success, including surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark, contrasted sharply with Elliott's struggles, leaving the former star uncertain about his future.

In a statement, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed gratitude for Elliott's contributions, noting his legacy as one of the franchise's all-time greats. Elliott had aimed to reach significant career milestones, including 10,000 rushing yards and breaking Tony Dorsett's franchise rushing touchdown record. However, the Cowboys' inconsistent offensive line and game situations hindered their running game, ultimately leading to Elliott's release as he seeks opportunities with a playoff team.

Ezekiel Elliott's tenure with the Dallas Cowboys has come to an end, as the team has decided to waive the veteran running back. This marks the second time in three years that Elliott has been released by the Cowboys, having previously been let go after the 2022 season due to salary cap constraints. Following his release, Elliott signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots for the 2023 season, which included performance-based incentives that could have brought the total value to $3 million.

As the Cowboys make this move, it is believed they are providing Elliott with an opportunity to join a playoff team, should he clear waivers. Throughout the 2023 season, Elliott has struggled with production, accumulating just 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries, with a maximum of 40 yards in a single game. His performance has been further hampered by being deactivated for a game due to missed meetings.

Despite his struggles, Elliott remains a respected figure within the Cowboys' locker room, with Coach Mike McCarthy praising his contributions as a teammate. With the emergence of Rico Dowdle as the lead running back, Elliott's role diminished significantly, and he has only seen limited snaps in recent games. He managed to score a touchdown in a Week 16 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his career total to 71 touchdowns as a Cowboy, placing him third in franchise history behind legends Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.

During his time with the Cowboys from 2016 to 2022, Elliott amassed 8,262 rushing yards and set multiple rookie records, including 1,631 rushing yards in his first season. However, his production has steadily declined, and he has not surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in a season since 2020. With Elliott's departure, the Cowboys are now looking to Deuce Vaughn and other running backs to fill the void left by the former star.