Bills' James Cook has chance to end up closer to $15 million contract desire than expected

James Cook hasn't gotten a contract extension from the Buffalo Bills yet.

This could actually be his best chance at approaching his $15 million per year desire that he expressed early in the offseason.

How's that?

The franchise tag.

If the Bills don't extend Cook, this will be the last year of his current contract. But he's still a star running back at the top of his game playing for a Super Bowl contender. It may not make sense to let him walk after the season.

But if Buffalo doesn't want to give Cook a long-term deal, it can give him the franchise tag to keep him for another year at a top valuation for his position.

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According to Pro Football Network, the salary for a franchise tagged RB next offseason will likely fall between $13 and $14 million.

Cook may not get the long-term deal at big money, at least not yet.

But that'd be a decent outcome for him, and with a couple more big seasons, he could earn one big longer-term payday before he passes his prime.

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