ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — After securing a big payday and a four-year deal to stay with the Buffalo Bills, running back James Cook couldn't hide his satisfaction.
The fourth-year player grinned throughout practice Wednesday after ending his contract standoff.
“You would, too,” a smiling Cook said.
Cook’s deal will pay him $48 million over the four years, two people with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press. The contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money, one of the people said.
They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because financial details of the contract have not been announced.
“Good to be back out there and play with my team,” Cook said. “Just get another opportunity to do what I love to do.”
The new deal comes a day after Cook ended his weeklong standoff by returning to practice. He skipped four straight sessions and although he took part in warmups, he declined to play in Buffalo’s preseason-opener against the New York Giants on Saturday.
”I think we just had an understanding that we need to practice if we’re going to be able to get back to the table,” general manager Brandon Beane said, noting an emphasis was placed on getting a deal done once Cook returned to practice Tuesday. “There was good faith on both parts, from him and his agent, to our side.”
Cook was the NFL’s co-leader with 16 touchdowns rushing last season. His 18 touchdowns, including two receiving, doubled his combined production in his first two seasons (four TDs rushing, five receiving). And he was part of an offense that finished second in the league in averaging more than 30 points per outing.
Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas.
Until Wednesday, Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane’s offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford.
“These are guys who are all players that we extended this offseason that I feel are all ascending talents in this league,” Beane said.
Cook said “it’s special” to join fellow members of the 2022 draft class — Shakir, Bernard and Benford — in signing extensions with the Bills.
“The guys that came in with me, we all got rewarded,” Cook said. “Now it’s time for us to go play football and show why we belong here.”
After practicing fully during the Bills’ first eight sessions of training camp this year, Cook began his “hold-in” on Aug. 3 by watching practice wearing a white sweatsuit along the sideline.
“Just trying to protect myself,” Cook said. “Just trying to stay healthy and get everything done before I can get out there and play with a clear mindset and just be locked in.”
Cook also declined to participate in the Bills’ voluntary spring sessions before reporting and practicing in the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp in June. He said the reason behind his decision to report was not wanting to risk getting fined.
At the start of training camp, Cook expressed confidence his contract status would eventually be resolved.
“However it happens, it’s going to get done, wherever it happens,” he said. “I deserve what I want, what I need, and it’s eventually going to happen.”
How long was Cook prepared to sit out of practice and games in order to secure his new deal?
“However long it took,” said Cook, flashing another smile. “But we got it done. So we don’t need to be discussing that. And let’s play football.”
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Buffalo Bills' James Cook stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The death toll from suspected gangsters’ attacks on Guatemalan police rose to nine Monday, as Guatemalans saw heavier security in the streets and curtailed rights after Congress approved President Bernardo Arévalo's emergency declaration.
The violence started Saturday when inmates seized control of three prisons in apparently coordinated riots, taking 43 guards hostage. The gangs were demanding privileges for their members and leaders, according to authorities. Shortly after police liberated one prison Sunday morning, suspected gang members attacked police across the capital.
On Monday, National Civil Police Director David Custodio Boteo said that a ninth police officer had died early Monday from his injuries, adding that “there are several wounded who are in critical condition ... Some also suffered amputations.”
Police honored the fallen officers in a ceremony Monday, where flag-draped coffins sat in the Interior Ministry.
“Today it pains me to give each one of the families this flag, symbol of the nation that will not forget the sacrifice and commitment of their police fallen in the fulfillment of their duty,” Arévalo said Monday.
Outside the Interior Ministry, José Antonio Revolorio, 72, father of officer José Efraín Revolorio Barrera, 25, said, “I hope that the criminals who did this to my son will one day pay for it, that the law will go after them. And that this doesn’t end here, because my son was an honest man, competent at his work.”
Meanwhile, the government gazette published Monday Arévalo’s declaration of a 30-day state of emergency, saying there were “coordinated actions by self-named maras or gangs against state security forces, including armed attacks against civilian authorities.”
Among the rights that the declaration limits are freedom of action and demonstrations. It also allows police to arrest people without a judicial order if they are suspected gang members. Security forces could also prohibit the movement of vehicles in certain places or subject them to searches.
The unicameral Congress approved the state of emergency with minor changes Monday night on a vote of 149 in favor to 1 against, with 10 absent or on approved leave of absence. However, it had gone into effect Sunday.
Traffic in the capital Monday appeared lighter than usual.
“This situation is a shame. It affects people psychologically: they don't want to go out,” said Óscar López, a 68-year-old radio technician who had a doctor's appointment. “I agree with the president imposing the state of emergency because it doesn't stop the violence, but it relaxes people.”
Ileana Melgar, 64, said she was afraid of missing her appointment to renew her identification Monday. “But I was afraid to go out, I called my friend to go with me. You don't know if they will also stop (public) transportation and we can't get back home.”
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala had instructed U.S. government personnel to shelter in place Sunday. That was lifted later in the day, but they were “advised to maintain a high level of caution when traveling.”
On Monday, the embassy condemned the attacks on police. “These terrorists, as well as those who cooperate with them or are linked to them, have no place in our hemisphere. The security of the Guatemalan people and the stability of our hemisphere must prevail. We reaffirm our support for Guatemala’s security forces to curb the violence.”
In October, the Congress reformed laws to declare members of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs terrorists. The changes lengthened prison sentences for gang members who commit crimes.
The United States government also declared those gangs foreign terrorist organizations last year.
As a safety precaution, school was suspended nationwide Monday.
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AP journalist Emmanuel Andrés contributed to this report.
Evidence markers stand at the scene where police officers were killed in attacks reported after security forces retook control of a prison that houses gang leaders, in Villanueva, on the outskirts of Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Deployed soldiers exit a vehicle around Congress in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after President Bernardo Arévalo declared a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo comforts the relative of one of the police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons, during the wake for the officers at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Security forces enter the Preventivo Zona 18 prison to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility in Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Emmanuel Andres)
The wake for police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons is held at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The wake for police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons is held at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The wake for police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons is held at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Inmates stand atop a guard tower at the Renovation maximum-security prison before security forces entered the facility to free guards taken hostage in Escuintla, Guatemala, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
A medic checks on freed prison guards outside the Renovation maximum-security prison after security forces entered the facility to retake control in Escuintla, Guatemala, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Security forces enter the Renovation maximum-security prison to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility, which houses gang leaders, in Escuintla, Guatemala, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
A soldier takes position in an armored vehicle outside the Preventivo Zona 18 prison during an operation to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility in Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Emmanuel Andres)
Forensic investigators place evidence markers at the scene where police officers were killed in attacks reported after security forces retook control of a prison that houses gang leaders, in Villanueva, outskirts of Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
