Done deal!!: Bills Shut Down Contract Talks for $144 Million 6-Time.
Done deal!!: Bills Shut Down Contract Talks. Christian Benford never spent time thinking about the day he’d land a contract worth more money than he ever imagined. Instead, the former sixth-round pick from Villanova focused on his daily routine, committing himself to constant improvement.
Since being drafted, Benford has embraced repetition, fine-tuning his skills every time he stepped onto the field at One Bills Drive.
“If I’m out there, it’s because there’s something I need to fix or improve,” Benford explained. “A big contract wasn’t really on my mind.”
Last season, Benford was often seen staying late after practice, working on small details with fellow cornerbacks Ja’Marcus Ingram, Rasul Douglas, and now-Dallas Cowboy Kaiir Elam. Some days, he put in extra hours, determined to outwork everyone around him.
“If my break was bad, I’d work on it until I couldn’t get it wrong,” he said. “I wanted it to become second nature—muscle memory that kicks in without me having to think about it.”
On Wednesday, Benford signed a four-year deal reportedly worth $76 million, keeping him in Buffalo through 2029. He is the latest core player to sign an extension this offseason, following linebacker Terrel Bernard, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, and wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
Focused on the Bigger Picture
Despite the life-changing deal, Benford insists his mindset remains unchanged.
“This is just another thing to add to the bucket,” he said. “But my drive is still the same—I want to be the best in the league. Nothing changes. My goal is to get to the Super Bowl.”
Benford, who tends to let his actions speak louder than words, emphasized the power of belief. He credits the Bills organization for trusting him from the start, even after drafting Elam in the first round of 2022. Despite being a lower pick, Benford earned the starting job out of training camp.
“One person believing in you can change everything,” he said.
Signing his new contract marked one of those pivotal moments.
“Let’s be real—this is life-changing,” Benford admitted. “For my family, for my legacy, for everything.”
The Journey of Hard Work
Looking back, Benford remembers moments when he questioned if all the extra effort was worth it.
“There were times I wondered if the work I put in was paying off,” he said. “Sometimes, you don’t see the results you want right away.”
But he remained committed to his process, using each day to improve.
“It’s hard to push past your old self and become something better,” he reflected. “But seeing it all come together—it means something. It proves all the hard work wasn’t wasted.”
Benford and the Bills began contract discussions after the season, but talks accelerated in recent weeks. Despite projections suggesting he could command more money as a free agent next year, Benford prioritized staying in Buffalo.
In three seasons, he has started 34 games and established himself as one of the NFL’s top coverage cornerbacks. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 0.51 yards per coverage snap in 2024—the best mark in the league.
Even with all he has accomplished, Benford isn’t one to dwell on the past. Instead, he remains committed to the process that got him here.
“I’m just happy I stayed true to myself,” he said. “I didn’t abandon what I believed in, even when things got tough. That consistency brought me here, and it means something.”
