The Buffalo Bills aren’t making any effort to conceal their tough situation with standout running back James Cook.

They clearly value Cook as a player—but not enough to pay him $15 million per year.

With just one year remaining on his contract and no extension at that price point in sight, the Bills have essentially stepped away from the negotiating table, viewing his asking price as too high. As a result, Cook has now landed in the middle of trade speculation.

Enter Pro Football Network, which recently listed one potential trade candidate from each team—and for the Bills, that player is Cook, with the Dallas Cowboys mentioned as a possible destination.

“Dallas has a connection to Cook through Ken Dorsey,” writes Pro Football Network, referencing the Cowboys assistant who previously served as Cook’s offensive coordinator in Buffalo from 2022 until his firing after Week 10 of the 2023 season.

But let’s be real: no disrespect to Dorsey, but it’s unlikely he has enough influence in Dallas to make this happen.

To dig a little deeper, long-time Cowboys insider Mike Fisher offers some clarity.

“I don’t know where this rumor started,” Fisher says, “but it’s not happening. At all. The Cowboys want to improve their run game, and right now they’re planning to do that with newly signed veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.

“And when it comes to the NFL Draft? They’re looking to grab a starter in Rounds 2 or 3. They’re paying guys $1 million per year—not $15 million.”

Drafting a running back early could add some much-needed energy to the offense behind Dak Prescott—and yes, Cook could certainly bring that spark.

But this scenario feels more like a fantasy than a real plan. It’s just one of those eye-catching rumors that’s unlikely to materialize on the field.