Bills RB James Cook Linked to Cowboys in Trade Rumors, but Don’t Count on It

The Buffalo Bills aren’t sugarcoating the situation with running back James Cook. They’re fans of his talent—but not at the $15 million per year price tag he’s reportedly seeking.

With one year left on his rookie contract and no extension in sight, the Bills have backed away from negotiations, believing Cook’s asking price is too steep. That’s left the door wide open for trade speculation—and Cook has now found himself at the center of the NFL rumor mill.

One such rumor comes from Pro Football Network, which listed a potential trade candidate from every NFL team. For Buffalo, that player was James Cook. The outlet floated the idea that the Dallas Cowboys could be a landing spot.

Their reasoning? Cowboys assistant coach Ken Dorsey was Cook’s offensive coordinator in Buffalo from 2022 until he was let go midway through the 2023 season. The idea is that the connection could spark interest in a reunion.

On the surface, it sounds plausible. But dig a little deeper—and long-time Cowboys insider Mike Fisher is calling foul.

“I don’t know where this one comes from,” Fisher said. “But this isn’t happening. At all.”

Fisher explained that Dallas is already trying to revamp its ground game using a different approach. The team recently signed veteran backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to budget-friendly deals, each making around $1 million per year. That strategy doesn’t exactly line up with a $15 million-per-year running back.

And don’t forget the NFL Draft. The Cowboys are reportedly eyeing a back in the second or third round who could develop into a long-term starter—at a fraction of Cook’s projected cost.

Sure, adding a dynamic runner like Cook would bring some extra punch to an offense led by Dak Prescott. But Fisher believes this is just another offseason rumor that’s not grounded in reality.

Bottom line? While the idea of Cook in Dallas may look good on paper, don’t expect to see it on the field anytime soon.