James Cook is lone Bills player skipping OTAs in latest contract twist

Money talks, and so does not showing up for work — even if you aren’t required to be there.James Cook is the only Bills player not at the team’s voluntary offseason team activities (OTAs) beginning Tuesday amid contract drama, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters.Cook previously said he’s looking for $15 million per season.While these OTA are voluntary, Cook is seemingly sending a message — and trying to avoid injury — by staying away while he hopes to be rewarded like fellow backs such Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.Cook, 25, is entering the last year of the four-year contract he signed after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.Cook pinned a “15 million” comment during his Instagram Live session in February, which would tie him for the third-highest average annual value in the sport.Barkley is averaging $20.6 million per season, McCaffrey sits at $19 million and Derrick Henry’s new deal has him at $15 million, according to overthecap.com.Bills general manager Brandon Beane said in March the sides did not come close to a deal and Cook then skipped the team’s previous OTAs in April.Beane previously noted that the lack of a deal now doesn’t mean one can’t come before free agency.“The same with James really since owners meetings,” Beane said in April, according to Sports Illustrated.“Love James.Look forward to James putting on our helmet again this year and doing well for us.”Cook has been one of the most productive and durable backs in the NFL since his debut, rushing for 2,638 yards, adding 883 receiving yards and tallying 27 touchdowns (20 rushing).He scored 16 rushing touchdowns this past season while rushing for 1,009 yards, tying for the most rushing scores by a back.The working argument against him being paid that figure is that teams are wary of signing backs to longer deals since most have not worked out.McCaffrey missed most of the...