One story that is being overlooked for the Buffalo Bills involves their shutdown cornerback, Christian Benford. Drafted in 2022 in the 6th round from Villanova, there were no big expectations of Benford. He was drafted in the same class as Kaiir Elam, who was taken in the first round by the Bills. Now, Elam is in Dallas after being traded to the Cowboys by the Bills and part of the reason why is because of Benford.
Benford has played more games than Elam and quite frankly, he’s a better fit for Buffalo’s scheme. He became a full-time starter in 2023 and that’s where he showed Bills Mafia that no matter where he was drafted, he was the best corner for the Bills.
Last season is where Benford really stood out for the Bills to the point where he earned votes as Defensive Player of the Year. Benford had a career best of allowing just 8.5 yards per completion.
Going into 2025, Benford is going into a contract year because he doesn’t have the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. The Bills are very weak at corner outside of Benford and Taron Johnson. Not only do the Bills still need to find a solidified CB2, but they also need to find a way to extend Benford’s contract.
Buffalo cannot afford to lose Christian Benford after 2025
Garrett Podell from CBS Sports listed winners and losers from the free agency frenzy and there is a category where cornerbacks who are set up to get paid next are big time winners.
There were a ton of cornerbacks who got paid nicely by teams this offseason, including Derek Stingley Jr. from the Texans (three years, $90 million, $63.5 guaranteed), Jaycee Horn from the Panthers (four years, $100 million, $72 million guaranteed), and D.J. Reed from the Lions (three years, $48 million, $32 million guaranteed).
Considering the production that Benford has as a Bill, as well as the lack of cornerback depth Buffalo has, Benford is being set up nicely for a big payday from the Bills. Even though you can expect the Bills to still address the cornerback spot either in free agency or the draft, Benford is too valuable to lose after next season.
The only tough part about getting Benford’s contract done is the fact that he comes from the same draft class as James Cook, Terrel Bernard, and Khalil Shakir. Both Bernard and Shakir got their extensions and Cook is demanding $15 million per season.
General manager Brandon Beane will have a tough decision to make because it’s hard to imagine that he keeps both Cook and Benford. As great as Cook is, it’s more simple to find a running back than it is a shutdown corner.