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Brady threatens to cut Cook’s carries

The Bills coach put Cook on notice after two fumbles in Buffalo’s overtime win over the Rams.

By TSP
Two photographs: Joe Brady on the Rams-game sideline, left, and James Cook carrying the ball, right.
Joe Brady (left) and James Cook in separate photographs from the Bills–Rams game at SoFi Stadium on October 12, 2026. · Credit: Ben Liebenberg/Buffalo Bills

“At some point, there has to be consequences,” Bills head coach Joe Brady said Tuesday, warning James Cook that continued fumbling would cost him carries.

Joe Brady answers a question about James Cook’s ball security on October 13, 2026. The question and complete answer, excerpted from the Bills’ news conference. Video: Buffalo Bills.

Cook led the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards in 2025. Five games into this season, he has fumbled four times, losing two.

His latest turnover came in overtime Monday against the Rams. Cook had rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, but his second fumble of the night gave Los Angeles a chance to win. Greg Rousseau blocked the ensuing field-goal attempt, and Tyler Bass later kicked Buffalo to a 37–34 victory.

The Bills improved to 4–1. Cook has 532 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns this season.

Asked during his October 13 news conference whether Cook’s fumbling had reached the point of sitting him, Brady said he still trusted his running back and had sent him back into the game. He said the turnovers were undoing Cook’s good work and that winning did not make them acceptable.

Brady said the ball security had to improve or “the carries are going to decrease.”