Running back James Cook was not present for the Bills' voluntary offseason workouts that began on Monday, but general manager Brandon Beane said it was unfair to assume Cook's absence was contract-related.

Cook made his case to rank among the league's top running backs by tying the Baltimore Ravens' Derrick Henry and Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024. The Bills' voluntary offseason workout program began Monday, with players including newly extended quarterback Josh Allen in attendance.

The NFL offseason can be broken down into several key phases that help teams structure their preparation for the upcoming season. From the start of free agency to preseason games, each step plays a role in getting franchises back into rhythm — and one of those phases is organized team activities,