One of Buffalo's biggest play makers in the secondary is here to stay. Cornerback Christian Benford signed a four-year contract extension Wednesday that keeps him with the Bills through the 2029 season.
"I'm feeling good," Benford said after putting pen to paper. "I'm blessed at the end of the day, appreciative for where I'm at and thankful."
Benford said the extension talks with general manager Brandon Beane started after the season. The cornerback felt certain about continuing his NFL career with the team that drafted him.
"Talked to Beane, some of the other guys, talking about wanting to continue on the relationship and the bond and to continue to be here," Benford explained. "That's when it started. Now, of course, I'm all for it. Love the coaches here and love the staff here."
The extension comes after Benford finished one of his most productive NFL seasons to date. The now fourth-year CB played and started in 15 games and finished the season with 64 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2024.
One of Benford's most memorable plays of the season was his interception of former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 16. The CB ran it back for 24 yards. Benford made plays like that all season, including a fumble recovery in the snow against the 49ers that he ran 43 yards down the sideline.
Benford was also ranked by Pro Football Focus as the sixth best corner in the NFL throughout the 2024 season.
The former sixth-round pick said signing an extension doesn't change his motivation ahead of 2025.
"My drive is already still strong to be the best in the league," Benford explained. "It don't change nothing. I don't feel different. My mindset is still the same. Get to the Super Bowl, be the best in the league."
Benford becomes the third player from the Bills 2022 draft class to sign an extension, joining Terrel Bernard and Khalil Shakir.
Reflecting on signing his first extension, Benford said he would tell his younger self that the hard work would be worth it.
"All those tears at night it's going to pay off," Benford shared. "All the heavy thoughts, all that worrying for the family. All the worrying for the people that you love. Trying to handle everything and all that work that you've been putting in to where I feel like you can't even walk no more, it's going to pay off eventually…
"God can always be there to keep you going. And just keep your head high. Smile more…that's probably what I really would say. And I'd probably give myself a hug."
Benford said it's very meaningful to play for a team that believes in him.
"This is life changing – family, legacy, everything," Benford said. "And again, all it takes is one person to believe me. So, it means a lot. It means a tremendous lot… a moment like this, all the extra work. Feeling like you're outworking everybody in this building, outworking everybody in this country, and then going the extra mile…that's hard to do. And then seeing something like this, it means a lot because it means, like, 'All right, all this work I'm putting in means something.'"
In his three seasons with the Bills, Benford has played in 39 games and started in 34. The CB has racked up five interceptions, 25 passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one sack and 141 tackles.
The Villanova product was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Scroll to see exclusive behind the scenes photos as Buffalo Bills players sign their contract extensions.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir with Brandon Beane, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir with Adam Henry, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir, March 3, 2025, at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Terrel Bernard (43) signs his contract extension, March 08, 2025 at the One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Buffalo Bills free agent signing, March 13, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford signs his contract extension, April 02, 2025 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center.
