The Buffalo Bills knew they needed to figure out a solution with their lockdown cornerback in Christian Benford.
Despite not being an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, though, Benford got a deal worthy of a top cornerback in the NFL - and certainly with the Bills at this point in the offseason. Benford signed a four-year contract extension with Buffalo Saturday afternoon worth $76 million.
Before the contract extension, Buffalo had just $5 million in salary cap space, and even general manager Brandon Beane made it clear that additional resources would be difficult to find to re-sign Benford and running back James Cook.
"We're running tight with knowing you have to save money for the draft picks," Beane explained back at the Combine. "I think I've talked to you guys about it before, even if you're under on this top 51, we've had to do moves in the past at the 53 cut when you have to include everyone--practice squad, whoever's gone on IR, injury replacement cost, all that. So, we're getting thin. We've changed stores that we're shopping in."
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Buffalo's offseason may have been limited after an aggressive start, but Benford was a big focus for the team over the last few weeks.
And the fact that they were able to pay a top cornerback money that makes him just the 13th highest paid corner in the league while being a clear top-10 players a perfect deal at the perfect time for Buffalo.
And something Beane should be thrilled with their process here.
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This story was originally published March 30, 2025 at 12:36 PM.