James Cook and Kyren Williams are at a pivotal juncture as they both seek contract extensions with their respective NFL teams, the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. Cook is openly pursuing a deal worth $15 million per year, but negotiations have stalled with the Bills. On the other hand, the Rams have been somewhat more optimistic regarding Williams, though no agreement has been reached yet. As both players approach the final season of their contracts, they might face the prospect of being franchised next offseason, a common trend in the modern NFL, especially for valuable running backs.

If Cook and Williams are tagged, they could see contracts in the vicinity of $14 million. This situation sheds light on the evolving dynamics of running back contracts in the league, where teams are increasingly hesitant to invest heavily in the position, opting instead for short-term solutions or franchise tags to retain talent without long-term commitments.