The Buffalo Bills and cornerback Christian Benford have agreed to terms on a four-year, $76 million extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday.
The $19 million per-year average puts Benford among the top 15 highest-paid players at his position, per Over the Cap, at a time in which the market for cornerbacks is quickly rising.
The 24-year-old earns his second contract after producing at an impressive level on his rookie deal. A sixth-round draft pick by the Bills in 2022, Benford quickly rose up the depth chart, earning the start to open his first season and ultimately playing in nine games despite a pair of injuries. He started 29 games the past two years as one of the most consistent members of the Bills secondary.
This last season was Benford's best, as he accumulated 64 tackles, three for loss, along with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a team-leading 10 passes defensed, his second year hitting double digits in the category. This earned him an 82.6 overall PFF grade in 2024, ranking him fifth among cornerbacks.
Benford is just the latest Bills player to receive an extension this offseason. In addition to quarterback Josh Allen receiving a six-year deal on the offensive side of the ball, Buffalo also retained edge rusher Gregory Rousseau and linebacker Terrel Bernard by inking them to four-year extensions, keeping some key pieces in place for the continued hunt for that long-sought-after Super Bowl.
Add Benford to that list of players who got paid, as Buffalo keeps one of its young stars under contract for the long term.
