James Cook is doing more than just carrying the ball for the Buffalo Bills - he’s carrying the legacy of a franchise that hasn’t seen this kind of production from the backfield since the days of O.J. Simpson.
In Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns, Cook rushed for 117 yards on 16 carries, pushing his season total to 1,532 rushing yards. That number doesn’t just lead the league after Sunday’s slate - it launches Cook into rarefied air in Buffalo’s history books.
For the first time since 1976, a Bills running back has cracked the 1,500-yard mark. That year, it was Simpson putting up 1,503 yards.
Now, nearly five decades later, it’s Cook’s turn.
And he’s not done yet.
Cook’s 1,532 yards now rank third on the Bills’ all-time single-season rushing list. In the process, he’s leapfrogged some serious names: Travis Henry’s 1,438 yards in 2002, and Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas’ best of 1,487 in 1992.
Only Simpson’s legendary 1975 and 1973 seasons stand in front of him - 1,817 yards and 2,003 yards, respectively. That 2,003-yard campaign remains the gold standard, especially considering Simpson did it in just 14 games.
Cook would need 285 yards over the final two games to take over second place from Simpson’s 1975 total. That’s 142.5 yards per game - a tall order, but not out of the question. Cook is currently averaging 102.1 yards per game, which means he’d need to turn in back-to-back performances that exceed his already impressive norm.
The good news? The matchups might just allow for it.
Buffalo closes out the regular season against two defenses that have struggled against the run. The Eagles rank 12th-worst in the NFL, allowing 123.5 rushing yards per game.
The Jets are even more generous, giving up 133.7 yards per game - fifth-worst in the league. If Cook can take advantage of those gaps, he could make a serious push up the record books.
But even if he doesn’t catch Simpson, what Cook has already accomplished is nothing short of historic. He’s topped 100 rushing yards in nine games this season - tied for the second-most in a single season in franchise history with Thurman Thomas.
The impact? The Bills are 8-1 in those games.
When Cook doesn’t reach the century mark, they’re just 3-3.
That tells you everything you need to know. Josh Allen may be the face of the franchise, but in 2025, James Cook has been the heartbeat.
The Bills' offense has found its rhythm behind his consistency, vision, and explosiveness. And with two games left and the playoffs looming, Cook’s not just chasing history - he’s driving Buffalo’s postseason hopes.
The extension he signed this past summer - four years, $48 million - is already looking like a bargain. Cook has elevated his game in Year 4, and with his name now etched alongside the franchise’s all-time greats, he’s proving he’s more than just a piece of the offense. He’s the engine.