BREAKING NEWS: Cornerback Christian Benford Signs Four-Year, $76 Million Extension with Buffalo Bills
April 10, 2025 – Buffalo, NY — The Buffalo Bills have locked in one of their most promising young defensive stars for the foreseeable future. In a major move that reinforces the franchise’s commitment to building a championship-caliber defense, the team announced today that cornerback Christian Benford has signed a four-year, $76 million contract extension, keeping him in Buffalo through the 2029 season.
The deal includes $48 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, marking a career-defining moment for the 2022 sixth-round pick out of Villanova. It also makes Benford one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league — a stunning rise for a player who entered the NFL with little fanfare but quickly proved his worth on the field.
“I’m beyond grateful,” Benford said during a press conference at Highmark Stadium. “Buffalo took a chance on me, and I’ve worked every day to make the most of that opportunity. To know the team believes in me enough to invest like this — it means everything.”
Benford’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. After flashing potential during his rookie season, he elevated his play in 2024, leading the NFL in lowest yards allowed per snap in coverage and becoming a key anchor of the Bills’ secondary. His combination of size, physicality, and football IQ has earned praise across the league, and Pro Football Focus ranked him among the top 10 cornerbacks last season.
Bills General Manager Brandon Beane praised Benford’s work ethic and development.
“Christian is everything we want in a Buffalo Bill,” Beane said. “He’s tough, smart, team-first, and he never stops grinding. From the moment he got here, he’s done nothing but compete and improve. He earned this.”
The extension comes at a crucial time for the Bills, who are in the middle of retooling their roster to stay competitive in the AFC. With the aging of veteran stars and the salary cap tightening, locking in homegrown talent like Benford offers stability and leadership for a defense undergoing transition.
Benford’s new deal also sends a message to young players in the organization: hard work and consistency will be rewarded. The cornerback has played through injuries, embraced coaching, and been a vocal presence in the locker room despite his young age.
“I want to be part of something special here,” Benford added. “We’ve been close. We’ve tasted playoff wins. But I’m here to win it all. I think we all are.”
With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, the Bills still hold 10 picks and have the most draft capital among playoff teams. This move gives the front office flexibility to continue building around a defense that now has a core piece locked down.
The Bills will enter the 2025 season with renewed focus, and with Christian Benford secured, Buffalo fans can feel confident that the future of the secondary is in strong hands.