The Buffalo Bills nearly had perfect attendance as they opened voluntary Organized Team Activities in Orchard Park on Tuesday.
Running back James Cook was the lone absence, with 89 of the 90 players on the offseason roster present for the first OTA session.
Attendance for the workouts is optional but Cook is seeking a new contract that would pay more than the $5.2 million he’s set to earn in 2025, the final year of his rookie deal.
“All but James (Cook) are here and accounted for,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “We’re staying in touch, like you’d expect a player and a coach to do. James will be here when he’s ready to be here and we move forward.”
Cook, 25, is coming off his second straight Pro Bowl appearance, having tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns last season. Cook is targeting $15 million per year, based on his social media comments and podcast interviews. That would put him in line with Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, who signed a two-year, $30 million contract last week.
Cook was also absent for the start of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts on April 21.
The Bills’ OTA schedule continues May 27–29, June 2–3, and June 5. A mandatory minicamp is set for June 10–12.
Unexcused absences from mandatory minicamp carry maximum fines of $17,462 for the first day, $34,925 for the second day and $52,381 for the third day for a total of up to $104,768.
Whether Cook returns by then may hinge on how contract negotiations develop.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane wasn’t concerned about a potential holdout last month, saying that Cook will be on the field in 2025 “and hopefully beyond.”
Left tackle Dion Dawkins said the team is staying focused despite Cook’s absence.
“We feel like we don’t have nothing to do with it. Whatever is going on upstairs can handle itself,” Dawkins said. “With the culture here, we take care of ours, and some processes are longer than others. I’m not a GM. So I wish that I had the answer, but I don’t. But I do know Cook is a good kid and he plays hard.
“Hopefully we’ll be seeing our boy Cook soon, but who knows.”
Dawkins added that while he’d like to see 100% attendance, he respects that OTAs are voluntary.
“Whatever is going on, I just hope it continues to go in a peaceful way,” Dawkins said. “We’re happy to have everybody that’s here, and for the people that aren’t, we still love them.”
Quarterback Josh Allen was also present at OTAs amid speculation about his upcoming wedding.
“I think it says everything,” McDermott said. “He is the face of our organization. He’s the leader of our team.”