The Buffalo Bills are approaching the end of their 2025 training camp at St. John Fisher, with only two practices remaining before camp concludes. Day 10 of camp featured developments both on and off the field.
Running back James Cook missed his second consecutive practice as he holds in for a new contract. After Sunday’s practice, Cook described his absence as a “business” decision. General Manager Brandon Beane addressed the situation during an appearance on One Bills Live.
“There’s been communication since we’ve been here,” Beane said. “This is my ninth season here, I’ve never had a player missing a practice over a contract. I take personal responsibility for that. I don’t like that. One of my job is to make sure I’m eliminating any distractions from our team and our organization.”
Beane expressed hope for a resolution soon.
“Hopefully we can get a resolution whether that’s a deal, or ‘hey there’s no deal let’s play it out’ and go from there,” Beane said.
Despite Cook’s hold-in, Beane stated his relationship with the running back remains positive.
“There’s no hard feelings with Jimbo at all,” Beane explained. “Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree and keep working on things.”
Cook’s absence has given more opportunities to other running backs, including Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Davis learned about Cook’s decision just before Sunday’s practice but emphasized staying focused on his own performance.
“I just control what I can control. It’s about just coming out here and doing what I can do. It’s a next man up mentality for practice, whoever’s getting reps, me, Ty, Darrynton or Frank, we got to go out there keep playing ball and let everything take care of itself,” Davis said.
Davis also stressed that there is no resentment toward Cook among the running backs.
“We’d love to have him out here. He’s a great running back, a great teammate and a great brother,” Davis shared. “However the situation folds out, I know it’s going to be the best for his interest.”
On the field during Monday’s session, wide receivers Tyrell Shavers, Keon Coleman, Jalen Virgil, and Stephen Gosnell made notable plays in one-on-one drills and team periods. Quarterback Josh Allen connected with Shavers for multiple highlight-reel catches; although one long touchdown was ruled out of bounds by officials due to only one foot landing inbounds, Shavers later secured another toe-tapping touchdown within bounds as part of his six-catch day.
Allen also threw a touchdown pass to Coleman under tight coverage while teammates celebrated on the sideline. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky found K.J. Hamler for an acrobatic sideline catch.
The defense responded with several key plays: defensive end Javon Solomon recorded a sack; Joey Bosa and rookie Landon Jackson generated pressure; Wande Owens tipped away a pass; Tre’Davious White broke up multiple throws; and Cam Lewis intercepted an early throw forced by pressure from Solomon.
Cornerback Christian Benford continued to draw praise for his steady presence both on and off the field following his recent four-year contract extension with Buffalo. Benford discussed how he supports teammates:
“I always made sure I was open-armed, open-minded,” Benford shared. “I was just making sure anybody could come to me with any problems, any worries, I could be your ear, that if you want to express yourself in any type of manner or way. Cool. I’m here just to listen, because some people just need somebody to listen to rather than just giving them advice.”
Safety Damar Hamlin highlighted Benford’s leadership qualities:
“CB has always been who he is, like even behind the scenes when you know the attention wasn’t always coming his way,” Hamlin said. “He puts the work in first and just hearing him step up more into a leadership role… and spread his message of his approach to the game and of his process. I think it’s what we need right now.”
Benford spoke about focusing on fundamentals during camp:
“I’ve just been working on technique, fundamentals, just making sure I’m sharp from Play 1 to the end of the practice. Just making sure my mental is strong, and all in all making sure I’m doing the Lord’s work making sure I am spreading Jesus’ light through me and to others,” he said.
Looking ahead at personal growth this season Benford added:
“Just keep leveling up myself not comparing to nobody else,” Benford said of how he can continue to grow.” Just as a player being a coach on the field being way more technically sound.I would say that would be my next step as a player.”
