Key keywords: James Cook career news, 2026 Buffalo Bills NFL Draft, Bills 10 2026 draft picks, Buffalo Bills running back depth, James Cook contract extension, Bills 2026 roster construction, NFL 2026 offseason moves, AFC East 2026 title race Just 48 hours after the Buffalo Bills wrapped up their 2026 NFL Draft haul of 10 players across every position group, star running back James Cook announced a landmark career update: he has signed a 3-year, $36 million contract extension with the franchise, with $24 million in guaranteed compensation, locking him in as the team’s lead running back through the 2029 season. The news ended weeks of rampant speculation that Cook would be traded, after multiple reports suggested the Bills were targeting running back talent in the draft to replace the 26-year-old, who finished the 2025 season with 1,217 rushing yards, 472 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns, but drew criticism for 3 costly fumbles in the Bills’ AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Bills general manager Brandon Beane had previously noted that the team’s 2026 draft strategy focused on filling roster gaps to push for a Super Bowl title, and the 10 selected players include 3 versatile offensive linemen, 2 edge rushers, 2 cornerbacks, 2 late-round running backs, and a specialized kickoff specialist. Speaking at a press conference following Cook’s announcement, Beane clarified that the two rookie running backs were drafted to add depth and reduce Cook’s workload, rather than compete for his starting spot. Cook carried the ball 273 times in 2025, the 4th highest total in the league, and missed two regular season games with a minor ankle injury. The added depth will allow the Bills to limit Cook’s regular season carries to keep him fresh for playoff runs. Cook shared in his personal announcement that he had spent the entire offseason training to improve his ball security, and had pushed the front office to prioritize offensive line upgrades in the draft, a request the team fulfilled with their three top-100 picks all coming on the offensive front. He noted that he has always viewed Buffalo as his long-term home, and that the team’s all-in approach to building a championship roster in 2026 made the extension an easy decision. League analysts have already labeled the dual moves of adding 10 targeted draft picks and locking down Cook as one of the strongest offseason hauls for any AFC team, with many updating their pre-season power rankings to place the Bills above the Chiefs as the early favorite to represent the AFC in the 2027 Super Bowl.