BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills continued their offseason trend of signing their own draft picks to long-term extensions, agreeing to terms with cornerback Christian Benford on a four-year, $76 million contract extension, his agents, Hadley Engelhard and Jim Ulrich of EnterSports Management, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Benford, 24, was entering the final year of his rookie deal and now will be under contract through the 2029 season. The sixth-round pick out of Villanova becomes the third member of the Bills’ 2022 draft class to sign an extension this offseason, joining wide receiver Khalil Shakir and linebacker Terrel Bernard. The Bills have also signed defensive end Greg Rousseau and quarterback Josh Allen to extensions this offseason.
Benford has been a clear starter for the team over the past two seasons but took a step forward in 2024. He has 34 regular-season starts in three seasons, 5 interceptions, 25 passes defensed and 4 forced fumbles.
Signing Benford in part addresses the team’s biggest position of need at outside cornerback for the future. However, there is no clear starter opposite Benford on the roster with the draft less than a month away.
