Don't you think it's possible that Cook wanted a contract above what the current environment warrants (but at a level he believes he deserves) and would have signed with the Jets if they offered what would under different circumstances appear to be a fair price but in today's NFL is $4+ million a year more than the market now dictates?
This is an ideal segue as the PAC's current situation does parallel quality running backs in the NFL. They can look around at quality players at DL, CB, WR (all historically of lesser importance than a running back) getting contracts of $18 million, $20 million, $22 million, $24 million annually while the top running backs in the game (pre-existing contracts excluded) are being capped at ~$11 million a year.
The remaining members of the P-12 can complain all they want about being better brands, a better product, whatever than the B-12. If it was going to land them a similar contract to what the B-12 has it would have happened months ago.