During his media availability at the NFL's annual league meetings in Palm Beach, FL, Bills general manager Brandon Beane gave updates about the team's latest offseason contract decisions, among other topics.
Here's what we learned Sunday:
Benford's extension shores up the team's core, but what about James Cook?
Buffalo agreed with another member from their 2022 draft class on a four-year extension, this time securing CB Christian Benford to a deal that keeps him in Buffalo through 2029. Benford, a 6th-round pick, was previously set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 prior..
Benford and the Bills reached a verbal agreement on the deal Saturday and the corner will fly into Buffalo in the upcoming week to sign the contract.
"Glad to get Christian done," Beane said. "Came to a place that both sides thought was fair and so excited to extend him with all the other guys that we've been able to get done."
Benford marks the third player from the Bills' 2022 draft class to sign an extension this offseason, joining WR Khalil Shakir and LB Terrel Bernard. The Bills also extended 2021 first-rounder DE Greg Rousseau and MVP QB Josh Allen.
Benford, Shakir, Rousseau and Bernard all received four-year extensions, signifying the long term confidence Beane and the organization has in their ability to be cornerstone players for the next several seasons.
"We believe in them, and we want them to be here and we want them to know that," Beane shared. "If we're going to commit, let's commit here for a considerable time."
One player from the 2022 class whose situation is still up in the air is Pro Bowl RB James Cook. Coming off a career season, Cook is eligible for an extension of his own. While Beane continued to express his desire to sign the RB long term, it appears the Bills are tabling discussions for the foreseeable future.
"Cnce we got Benford done, I don't see us doing any deals anytime soon. We're gonna focus on the draft and getting our cap in order," Beane said.
"We want nothing more, just like these other guys, for James to continue being a Buffalo Bill well past this season, but we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us."
Milano and Bills rework contract
Earlier this month, OverTheCap.com reported that Matt Milano and the Bills agreed to revise the linebacker's contract which included a pay reduction and sets him up to be a free agent following the 2025 season.
Beane confirmed the two sides reworked the contract and that the 2022 All-Pro can earn back some of the money with incentives.
"We tried to structure something that would help us a little bit now, give him an opportunity to earn some of it back with staying healthy and showing everyone he's back," Beane explained.
While Milano's revised contract ends after 2025, Beane believes Milano could still return for 2026 on a new deal in free agency.
"He's working hard. And it definitely does not mean that this is Matt Milano's last year in Buffalo. By any means. We'll take it one year at a time. We'll play this out."
