The details of the team-friendly deal Christian Benford signed with the Buffalo Bills are here.
The Buffalo Bills have rewarded cornerback Christian Benford with a significant contract extension.
Benford, 24, was selected 185th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite entering the league as a late-round pick, he quickly earned playing time and became a starting cornerback in Buffalo’s defensive scheme outplaying former Bills’ first-round pick Kaiir Elam.
How much is Christian Benford making in his new Bills deal?
Benford has impressed since he entered the NFL, the former sixth-round pick signed a 4-year, $69 million extension, an average annual salary of $17.25 million per Spotrac.
The new money in the deal averages out to be the 19th-highest annual value in the NFL.
How much of Christian Benford’s Bills contract is guaranteed money?
Benford is making $37.636 million guaranteed with $18.85 million of that fully guaranteed at signing including a which includes a $7.5 million signing bonus. In addition to the signing bonus, his 2025 minimum base salary ($1.1 million) and $10.25 million of his 2026 option bonus are fully guaranteed.
The Bills used rolling guarantees in this deal, so the rest of his 2026 compensation will fully guarantee after the 2026 Super Bowl along with part of his 2027 salary. The rest of his 2027 salary fully guarantees in March 2026.
How are the Bills managing the cap with the Christian Benford extension?
Buffalo included a pretty hefty fully guaranteed 2026 option bonus and added a void year to spread that bonus over the five full seasons allowed.
What is the effective length of the Christian Benford contract?
Because of the rolling guarantees, the first three years of the deal are pretty much locked in. The dead cap hit after two seasons would be rather hefty, so the contract is effectively a three-year, $39.656 million deal.
The compensation doesn’t jump considerably in 2028, so the Bills can keep him at $16.25 million that year and $16.5 million in 2029.
What incentives are in Christian Benford’s contract with the Bills?
Benford has annual incentives built into the deal for interceptions:
- 4 INT: $400,000
- 5 INT: $650,000
- 6 INT: $1,000,000
There is an escalator built in where he will make an extra $500,000 base salary in every subsequent season should he earn a first-team All-Pro selection.
Like most Brandon Beane contracts, there are $500,000 workout bonuses built into every new year of the deal as well as per-game roster bonuses of $30,000/game.
Full yearly contract details for Christian Benford’s Bills extension
Here are the yearly breakdowns for Benford’s deal with the cash and cap info.
2025
Rookie signing bonus proration: $48,569
New signing bonus proration: $1.5 million
Base Salary: $1,100,000 (fully guaranteed)
Yearly cash: $8.6 million
Cap Hit: $2,648,569
2026
Signing bonus proration: $1.5 million
Option bonus proration: $2.4 million
Workout bonus: $500,000
Per-game active bonus: $30k per game up to $510,000
Base Salary: $2,546,000 (fully guarantees February 2026)
Yearly cash: $15.556 million
Cap Hit: $7.456 million
2027
Signing bonus proration: $1.5 million
Option bonus proration: $2.4 million
Workout bonus: $500,000
Per-game active bonus: $30k per game up to $510,000
Base Salary: $14.49 million (fully guarantees March 2026)
Yearly cash: $15.5 million
Cap Hit: $19.4 million
2028
Signing bonus proration: $1.5 million
Option bonus proration: $2.4 million
Workout bonus: $500,000
Per-game active bonus: $30k per game up to $510,000
Base Salary: $15.24 million
Yearly cash: $16.25 million
Cap Hit: $20.15 million
Dead cap if cut: $10.2 million
Cap savings if cut: $9.95 million
2029
Signing bonus proration: $1.5 million
Option bonus proration: $2.4 million
Roster bonus: $3 million (March 2029)
Workout bonus: $500,000
Per-game active bonus: $30k per game up to $510,000
Base Salary: $12.49 million
Yearly cash: $16.5 million
Cap Hit: $20.4 million
Dead cap if cut: $6.3 million
Cap savings if cut: $14.1 million
2030 – VOID YEAR
Option bonus proration: $2.4 million
Dead cap if not on roster: $2.4 million
Note: Accelerates to previous year if released.
Christian Benford’s performance and outlook
Benford started 15 games in 2024, totaling 64 tackles, one sack, 10 pass deflections, and two interceptions. With similar numbers in 2023, Benford has been a consistent force.
This extension offers continuity for the Bills and reflects on Benford’s emergence as a key piece on the defense. With $37.6 million in guarantees, the organization has invested heavily in his continual development. In comparison to other recently extended defensive backs, the Bills got a steal, especially if Benford stays on this trajectory.