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James Cook's fast start is boosting Buffalo's offense | Top 3 things to know from Day 2 of Bills Training Camp 

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The second practice of training camp was a scorcher at St. John Fisher University. Temperatures reached the high 80s, which called for a few much-appreciated water breaks.

While the offense and defense traded impressive plays yesterday, Thursday's practice was all about seeing consistent stretches from the offense as they moved outside of the red zone. Don't worry, a few defensive players made their presence known as well.

Here are the top three things to know from training camp practice No. 2.

1. "It's a great organization" — James Cook still sees long-term future in Buffalo amidst ongoing contract talks

Running back James Cook has flashed already in just two days of training camp practices. Cook has shown his elite vision by locating gaps and turning it into a long gain. The RB had the play of the day on offense by taking a swing pass 50 yards for what would have been a touchdown. Fullback Reggie Gilliam deserves a shoutout on that play because he had the perfect block to open the lane for Cook.

The fourth-year RB, who is seeking a new contract, met with the media after Thursday's practice. Cook has proven his commitment to the game and his teammates by participating in training camp practices amidst contract talks.

"It's my job," Cook said of why he's in Rochester. "I've got to participate so I won't get fined. Just come out here and show them that I'm ready to go and earn what I got to go get."

"Cook is a good dude," left tackle Dion Dawkins said of his teammate. "He's here where he's supposed to be. He didn't skip the mandatory OTAs. He was here the first day at camp. He's not a problem."

James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 24, 2025 at St. John Fisher University.

General manager Brandon Beane spoke to media yesterday and explained how much he wants Cook in Buffalo but also shared they have to operate with the cap and the future of the Bills in mind.

"James fits Buffalo," Beane said. "But sometimes you can't get on the same page or sometimes you're trying to fit it in… I'm hopeful, when we're sitting here at next year's training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue."

"We have talks," Cook said of conversations with Buffalo regarding a new contract. "I'm never going to give up. I deserve what I want, what I need. And it's going to eventually happen."

Cook clarified he believes a new contract will happen, even if it ends up being with another team.

"However it happens, it's going to get done. Wherever it happens," Cook shared.

The running back lit up the NFL last season by tying for the lead in rushing touchdowns with 16. Last season also marked the second year in a row that Cook went over 1,000 yards rushing.

While getting a new contract is important to the running back, he's also eyeing taking his game to another level in 2025.

"Get more involved in the pass game, instead of the run game," Cook said of improving his game. "Just being out there on third downs, that's my job. That's what I'm trying to do. And whatever I can do to help the team win games and contribute, I'm willing to do it."

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady is proud to see the way Cook has handled himself through this time and is looking forward to helping him grow his game this season.

"He's as locked in as dialed in," Brady said. "You saw the way that he played last year. And how can we continue to evolve his game and be better? He takes that on.

"He's laughing with the guys. There's no difference. There was never a doubt the way he would kind of approach it, show up, and kind of go with it. I'm excited to have him go for another year for sure."

As Cook prepares for his fourth season, the RB has made it clear there are several reasons why he would want to continue his career in Buffalo.

"The quarterback and the fans," Cook said of why he wants to be in Buffalo. "I mean, it's a great organization. They drafted me, they drafted me for a reason I feel like and I'm willing to be here and spend my career here."

Cook is an important piece to a Bills offense that scored 32 rushing touchdowns and 33 receiving touchdowns last season, the first NFL team to achieve at least 30 in the air and on the ground in the same season. The running backs room accounted for eight of those receiving touchdowns.

Brady understands just how vital that group was to the offense's success in 2024 and how it will be the same for 2025.

"We obviously value the running back room," Brady said. "You can see how much we utilized all three of those guys last year. It's extremely important to us for our success. And fortunately, we have a bunch of guys in that room that kind of embody that. And excited to see them kind of roll this year."

2. Joe Brady details the advantages of having several returners

For the coaches, much of training camp is spent figuring out where players fit in and how they can use their strengths in the system. Buffalo's offense, which ranked top 10 in multiple categories, thankfully returns several starters, including their entire offensive line from last season.

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady said it's an advantage to have plenty of returners compared to plenty of new players as you're getting ready for a season.

"It gives you an opportunity right now to continue to grow their game," Brady said of the returners. "Not just say, 'Hey, this is just what we did last year.' At the same time, then you get some new guys in here that you get a little more hands-on in trying to see how they can kind of work together in your bunch."

Brady believes training camp is the perfect time to get a good feel for the new players thanks to how much time they spend together.

"I have to get a feel of how Joshua Palmer, LV (Laviksa Shenault), Elijah Moore, how these guys run the routes," Brady said. "How they can kind of intertwine into who we are as an offense. And then mix that with the Khalils (Shakir) of the world, the Keons (Coleman), our tight ends, running back. So, there's a level of, hey, I understand kind of who some of these guys are, but I don't want to just pigeonhole them."

The OC, who coached an offense that scored a franchise-record 525 points in 2024, also uses camp as a time to experiment with the new and old, focusing on ways to evolve in order to keep defenses on their heels.

"A big thing for us this offseason is, 'Hey, what were we good at? How did teams attack us?' We have to continue to improve on that. We can't just be like, 'Hey, we were good with that, we'll be good with that next year.' But we have to find ways to get better," Brady added.

Brady isn't putting all of that on himself. The OC loves involving his coaching staff and players in conversations about how they want to build their offense for the season.

"We want to empower them, we want to give them ownership and if we do that, we feel like they'll take it and kind of run with it, so part of that as we go is that communication," Brady said. "The less I'm talking in meetings, the better. When the quarterbacks and receivers are having the meetings and they're the ones communicating, that's when it's going to be the offense that we ultimately want it to be."

While the skill players are a big part of that, it's impossible to leave out the glue guys from last year. Buffalo's offensive line allowed a league-low 14 sacks in 2024 and they're eyeing a repeat year in that category.

"It's the heartbeat of a team, right?," left tackle Dion Dawkins said of his group. "You have to protect the franchise. So, to come back into another season with all five guys that did a great job last year – I think that we gave up the least amount of sacks. That's huge. So, to come back in for Josh's (Allen) mental, to know that his protectors are there and just are planning on repeating that every year, it's a good day."

As Brady approaches his second year in the OC seat, Dawkins was happy to see the same guy from last year showed up for the start of this year's camp.

"He's the same dude," Dawkins said of his coach. "He smiles, treats the guys right. And he takes care of us. He has his beat. His confidence is there. And for anybody that's calling the shots and has that confidence, I'm cool with."

3. Offense shows consistency + a couple defensive players shine

Buffalo focused on red zone in their first practice of training camp, which allowed for exciting plays from both sides of the ball. In Thursday's practice the team utilized more of the field, resulting in consistent stretches from the offense.

The running backs continue to have a strong start to camp. James Cook had the play of the day, which came on a simple screen pass — what happened after resulted in a roar from the crowd. Cook caught the pass and positioned himself behind fullback Reggie Gilliam who set the perfect block to open a huge lane. Cook saw the opportunity and took the ball 50 yards for what looked like a touchdown. The RB also had a few plays where he popped through a big gap created by his offensive line for a nice gain. Ty Johnson also had a couple notable plays. Johnson started off a team period by taking a handoff from Josh Allen and running it through a hole and down the sideline for another would-be touchdown. Johnson had another play where he patiently waited for a lane to open and ran through for an impressive gain.

Josh Allen and his wide receivers also had several noteworthy connections during team periods. Allen and second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman linked up multiple times during Thursday's practice. On one play, Coleman found himself wide open in the flat and turned it up field for a few extra yards. Right after Cook's impressive TD, Allen had a good pass over to wide receiver Khalil Shakir. The two connected on a few plays during practice. The QB also gave some love to new wide receiver Elijah Moore. Allen found Moore near the sideline on a play and the WR did a great job of extending his body to complete the catch and stay inbounds.

"He's so sudden in and out of cuts," Allen said of Moore Wednesday. "He can play inside, he can play outside."

Two defensive players flashed throughout the day. New defensive end Michael Hoecht found himself near the quarterback a couple times with a pressure and a would-be sack. On the sack, the quarterback rolled to his left and turned back right to find Hoecht standing there, not allowing him to take another step forward. New linebacker Shaq Thompson, who signed with the team on June 10, was close to a couple interceptions toward the end of practice. Both times, Thompson had a great position in the throwing lanes and got his hand on the ball to break up the passes. The veteran LB was close to coming away with an INT but couldn't fully secure the ball.

Linebacker Dorian Williams and defensive end A.J. Epenesa did not finish Thursday's practice. Tight end Dawson Knox (hamsting), right tackle Spencer Brown (back), wide receiver Laviska Shenault (lower leg straing) and offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf) did not practice.

Scroll to see the best photos from Day 2 of the 2025 Buffalo Bills Training Camp Practice. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.

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