RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesOne of the gripes from fans about the Buffalo Bills ‘ offense has been the team’s lack of usage of running backs in the passing game.
Take James Cook , for example. The Bills’ leading rusher caught 33 passes last season, which was tied for 25th among running backs.
Thankfully, the Bills are showing early on in training camp that things might change in 2026.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reports that Buffalo has been targeted the position group more in practice, which could be a sign of things to come.
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“The running backs room — James Cook III, Ty Johnson and Ray Davis — has been noticeably more involved as pass catchers in practices, which is something to keep an eye on if that production increases this season,” Getzenberg wrote.
A head-scratching approach
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) reacts in the closing minutes of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images). One thing that has made the Bills’ reluctance to use their running backs more in the passing game more frustrating is the fact that Buffalo has had a shaky situation at wide receiver for years now.
Things should be better in 2026 after the Bills pulled off a trade with the Chicago Bears for DJ Moore, who was added to a pass-catchers group that also includes Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid.
But concerns remain.
Kincaid has had issues staying healthy the past two seasons and it’s anyone’s guess who, if anyone, will adequately step up into the No. 3 wide receiver role between guys like Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and rookie Skyler Bell.
If all three of those players fail to answer the bell, the Bills are going to be one injury away from being in the same exact boat they were in during the 2026 campaign, when they had one of the worst wide receiver situations in the league.
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Aside from their shaky pass-catcher situation, another reason to get Cook more involved in the passing game is because of his big-play ability.
The veteran running back is one of the most explosive players in the entire league and can make house calls from anywhere on the field with the ball in his hands.
Head coach Joe Brady can’t make the same mistake he did as the offensive coordinator and must get his backs more involved, and that’s especially true with Cook.
As of right now, it looks like that could happen this coming season.
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