James Cook Is the NFL’s Top Rusher

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Buffalo Bills, along with the rest of the teams in the National Football League, wrapped up the 2025/26 season, and now 14 of the 32 teams are looking forward to the playoffs. With the end of the regular season, there are several players whose individual achievements have earned them some end-of-season awards. From the league's top passers and defenders to the best special teams players and rushers, there are several players who performed very well.

One of those players comes from our own hometown team, and it's the first time in 5 decades that a Bills player has done this.

James Cook Wins The 2025 NFL Rushing Title

If there was any argument that the Buffalo Bills have one of the best offenses in the league, it should have been shut down once the season ended, as not only did quarterback Josh Allen set all sorts of milestones this year, but the Bills also have the league's top rusher.

James Cook rushed for a league-leading 1,621 yards this season on 307 carries while scoring 12 touchdowns on the ground. Over 17 games this year, Cook averaged 95.4 yards per game and 5.2 yards for every time he carried the ball.

Cook had truly spectacular games against the Jets when he had 132 rushing yards, against Carolina, where he gained 216 yards on the ground, and against Pittsburgh with 144 rushing yards.

Over the last two years, Cook's stats have been even more impressive as he has more than 2,600 yards rushing, more than 500 yards receiving, and 32 touchdowns in 33 games.

James Cook is the first Buffalo Bill to win the rushing title since O.J. Simpson did it in 1976 when he led the league with 1,503 yards in a 14-game season.