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Bills Star James Cook validating new contract in Bills 3-0 start

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Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP) — Just a month after a tense “hold-in” during training camp that led to a four-year, $48 million contract extension, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is leaving little doubt that he’s worth every penny.

Three weeks into the season — three wins in the books — Cook has become the centerpiece of an offense that’s averaging 420 yards per game and eclipsing 30 points each outing.

The former second-round pick leads the NFL with four rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yard score in Buffalo’s 31–21 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. That touchdown gave him seven straight games with a rushing TD, tying a Buffalo franchise record. Even more impressive, his 108 rushing yards against Miami snapped the Dolphins’ NFL-best streak of 35 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

“He looks like he’s been shot out of a cannon every time he touches it. He’s so fun to play with,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “He’s been such a catalyst for our offense. Special player.”

The Bills’ first offer to Cook reportedly averaged just $8 million per season, with GM Brandon Beane initially willing to revisit talks in the offseason. Instead, Buffalo locked him up early at an average of $12 million per year — currently ranking only seventh among NFL running backs, according to Spotrac. That number might soon look like a bargain.

Coach Sean McDermott didn’t hesitate when asked if Cook might be underpaid:

“From the coach’s lens, James Cook deserves every bit of this extension,” McDermott said. “He’s earned it. He’s one of the better running backs in the NFL, and he’s showing why week after week.”

Cook’s combination of power, elusiveness, and pass-catching has added balance to what was once a pass-heavy Buffalo attack. His presence also reduces Josh Allen’s carries — and the punishing hits that come with them.

The offense has been sharp even as the Bills’ young, banged-up defense allowed Miami to convert 10 of 15 third downs. Allen, the reigning MVP, has yet to commit a turnover and continues spreading the ball around: five different players, including Cook, have at least eight receptions, while rookie tight end Jason Hawes is one of four Bills with a touchdown catch.

One year after trading away Stefon Diggs and facing questions about who would emerge as the new offensive star, the answer has become clear. Cook, who co-led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns last season, is proving to be exactly the weapon Buffalo needed.

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side