Benford and the Bills have agreed upon a four-year, $76 million extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Benford was widely considered a Pro Bowl snub last season after putting together a standout campaign that included the sixth-highest PFF grade (79.3) among NFL cornerbacks. The Villanova product finished the regular season with a career-high 64 tackles, including his first NFL sack, 10 pass defenses (including two interceptions) and two forced fumbles over 15 contests. Benford was set to enter 2025 on the final season of his rookie contract, but with the extension he'll now be a core member of Buffalo's defense for the foreseeable future.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Christian Benford news
Team
Buffalo Bills
Birthdate
9/21/2000 (24)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 205 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 6; Pk (BUF)
Birthplace
Baltimore, MD, USA
Position
CB
College
Villanova
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Buffalo Bills
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Benford and the Bills have agreed upon a four-year, $76 million extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Benford was widely considered a Pro Bowl snub last season after putting together a standout campaign that included the sixth-highest PFF grade (79.3) among NFL cornerbacks. The Villanova product finished the regular season with a career-high 64 tackles, including his first NFL sack, 10 pass defenses (including two interceptions) and two forced fumbles over 15 contests. Benford was set to enter 2025 on the final season of his rookie contract, but with the extension he'll now be a core member of Buffalo's defense for the foreseeable future.
Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday that Benford has cleared concussion protocol and has resumed football activities, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports. Benford suffered a concussion during the first quarter of the Bills' AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs, and it wasn't until about a week after the game that he cleared protocol, per Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo. Benford finished the 2024 regular season with a career-high 64 tackles (50 solo), including 1.0 sacks, 10 pass defenses (including two interceptions) and two forced fumbles over 15 games.
Benford (concussion) recorded 64 total tackles (50 solo) including 1.0 sack, 10 passes defended with two interceptions, and two forced fumbles over 15 regular-season games in 2024. The third-year pro from Villanova started every game he appeared in for the Bills this season, serving as one of the team's top outside cornerbacks. Benford tied his career highs in passes defended, interceptions and forced fumbles in 2024 while setting a new personal best in total tackles, which included the first full sack of his career. He's entering the final season of his rookie deal in 2025, but don't be surprised if Benford gets a contract extension this offseason, having led the Bills in passes defended and interceptions in 2024.
Benford (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against Kansas City. Benford suffered a blow to the head in the first quarter, quickly being diagnosed with a concussion. The defensive back suffered a concussion in the team's AFC divisional-round matchup with the Ravens and his status moving forward will now be in question if the Bills advance to the Super Bowl. In Benford's absence, Cam Lewis and Kaiir Elam will see an uptick in usage in the secondary versus Kansas City.
Benford (concussion/personal) is active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Chiefs. Benford was placed in concussion protocol after Buffalo's wild-card win against the Ravens last Sunday. The third-year cornerback was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, and he missed Friday's session for personal reasons. Benford should be ready to hold down his starting spot opposite cornerback Rasul Douglas, leaving Buffalo without just one starter in its secondary, as strong safety Taylor Rapp (hip) has already been ruled out.
Benford (concussion/personal) did not practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. Benford remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, and after logging back-to-back limited practices he missed Friday's session for personal reasons. He'll need to gain full medical clearance, including from an independent neurologist, in order to be eligible for Sunday's road game against Kansas City. On a positive note for the Bills, fellow starting cornerback Taron Johnson (neck/shoulder) has been cleared to face the Chiefs, though safety Taylor Rapp (hip/back) is ruled out.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Benford (concussion/personal) will not practice due to personal reasons and remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Maddy Glab of the team's official site reports. Benford already faces the task of gaining full clearance from the concussion protocol if he's going to suit up for Sunday's road AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, and a personal issue now adds an additional wrinkle to his potential availability. With Taylor Rapp (hip/back) ruled out to face Kansas City, it would be a notable boost for Buffalo's secondary if Benford does manage to take the field.
Benford (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. Benford entered concussion protocol following the Bills' divisional-round win against the Ravens. He's been a limited participant in the first two practices of the week, and he'll have to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. Benford has accumulated nine tackles (six solo) across Buffalo's two playoff games.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday that Benford practiced in a limited capacity and remains in the concussion protocol, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports. Benford is making progress as he works to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in time for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. The starting cornerback will need to gain full clearance from the protocol in order to be eligible to play Sunday, including from an independent neurologist. He's currently following a similar trajectory to Ray Davis, who sustained a concussion during Buffalo's wild-card win over Denver but gained clearance in time for the AFC Divisional Round.