Maxwell Hairston
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Maxwell Hairston celebrates an interception.
The Buffalo Bills have the top of their draft now wrapped up and ready for training camp, announcing on June 13 that first-round pick Maxwell Hairston signed his rookie contract.
The Bills noted that Hairston and fourth-round pick Deone Walker both signed on Friday, the seventh and eighth players from this year’s draft class to officially ink their rookie deals. Hairston will have the chance to earn a starting spot in a secondary that saw some changes this offseason, with the Bills losing a season-long starter.
Maxwell Hairston’s Contract Details Shared
Sportrac reported that Hairston signed a four-year, $15.24 million contract while Walker received a four-year, $5.24 million deal.
The signings cement the team’s secondary as they wrapped up minicamp and will now be off for a little more than a month before returning for training camp in late July. There are high hopes around Hairston, who will have the chance to compete for the cornerback spot vacated by Rasul Douglas when he hit free agency.
Pro Football Focus writer Dalton Wasserman called Hairston the biggest impact offseasonacquisition for the Bills, noting that he has the inside track to start alongside Christian Benford.
“Bills cornerbacks ranked 22nd in the NFL with a 61.2 coverage grade last season,” Wasserman wrote. “Christian Benford accounted for most of that positive production while the rest of the group struggled. First-round pick Maxwell Hairston is likely to start across from Benford after recording an excellent 84.8 coverage grade over the past two seasons at Kentucky.”
Hairston had an injury scare in minicamp, going down with a hamstring injury and missing the team’s final day. Bills general manager Brandon Beane said afterward that Hairston will undergo treatment and should be back on the field for training camp.
“He just, a little tweak. Tweaked his hammy [hamstring] area. He should be fine. He’s getting treatment,” Beane said, via SI.com.
Bills Brought Back Veteran Help
Hairston could have some expert help in getting acclimated to his position this year. The Bills brought back veteran Tre’Davious White, the former All-Pro who played seven seasons in Buffalo before being released in March 2024 as part of a string of cost-saving moves.
White told reporters earlier this month that he knows what it’s like coming into the league with high expectations. Like Maxwell, he was a first-round pick and quickly earned a starting position with the Bills in 2017.
White said he hopes to impart some of his wisdom on the rookie, helping his development through training camp.
Tre’Davious White knows exactly what Max Hairston is going through as a cornerback who was drafted in the 1st round. Tre’ will be a valuable asset in the development of the Bills rookie CB. pic.twitter.com/cxKqQTYG5C
— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) June 3, 2025
“I just remember being in that similar position,” White said. “Being a young corner in this league, it’s a lot of pressure.”
The Bills brought more veteran help for the secondary, bringing back another longtime veteran in Dane Jackson. He is expected to provide some key depth and versatility to the secondary.
The Bills went heavy on defense in the NFL draft this year, shoring up what had been a major weakness in the postseason. The team focused heavily on the defensive line and secondary, with Hairston at the top of the draft.