In Buffalo, the Bills are sticking to their tried-and-true strategy this offseason by securing long-term commitments from their own talent. Most recently, cornerback Christian Benford has agreed to a substantial four-year, $76 million extension, as confirmed by his agents Hadley Engelhard and Jim Ulrich from EnterSports Management during a chat with ESPN’s Adam Schefter this past Saturday.
At just 24 years old, Benford was facing the final year of his rookie contract. With this new deal, he’s secured with the Bills through the 2029 season. This move fits perfectly with the team’s focus on locking down homegrown talent before they hit the free agency market. As General Manager Brandon Beane frequently stresses, the mission is “draft, develop, and re-sign.”
The Bills have been busy this offseason, with Benford joining his fellow 2022 draft classmates, wide receiver Khalil Shakir and linebacker Terrel Bernard, in signing four-year extensions. They’ve also penned new deals with defensive end Greg Rousseau and quarterback Josh Allen, though Allen’s is a lengthy six-year agreement.
Beane has been vocal about his enthusiasm for Benford’s return. “We’re thrilled to have Christian back,” Beane mentioned earlier this month. “We’re always committed to drafting, developing, and keeping our talent here. It’s especially crucial this season, given our current depth challenges at the cornerback position.”
Over the past two seasons, Benford has firmly established himself as a starting player for the Bills. After gradually finding his footing by starting five games during his rookie year, he stepped up significantly in 2024 and now stands as the team’s leading outside cornerback. His impressive stats highlight his contributions—34 starts in regular seasons with 5 interceptions, 25 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Financially, Benford’s new contract positions him right in the mix with some of the league’s top cornerbacks, tying him for 13th in terms of annual earnings.
While securing Benford addresses a major area of need at outside cornerback, there’s still uncertainty on who will line up opposite him. This is particularly pressing with the draft looming and Rasul Douglas’s recent departure to free agency. To bolster their lineup, the team has already traded former first-round pick Kaiir Elam to the Cowboys and brought back Dane Jackson.
As for future contract extensions, running back James Cook, a second-round pick from 2022, remains a topic of interest as the team considers its options.
