Bills, Christian Benford Reach Agreement On Four-Year Extension
The Buffalo Bills and cornerback Christian Benford reached an agreement on a four-year, $76 million contract extension on Saturday, according to Benford's management. Benford will stick around in Buffalo for another four years after Buffalo made him a sixth-round selection (185th overall) in the 2022 NFL draft out of Villanova. The 24-year-old defensive back has continued to improve in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, culminating in a strong performance in 2024 in which he had a career-high 64 tackles (50 solo), his first career sack, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 15 regular-season starts. The Bills are hoping that Benford will continue to improve as a key member of their secondary for years to come. In his three NFL seasons, he has 142 tackles (110 solo), one sack, seven tackles for loss, five interceptions and 25 pass breakups in 39 games (34 starts).
Buffalo Bills defensive back Christian Benford (concussion) was forced from Sunday's 32-29 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and did not return. Benford suffered a concussion in the team's win over the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round but was able to clear protocol in time for their Conference Championship matchup despite logging two limited sessions and a DNP at practice. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old lasted just 12 plays before colliding with teammate Damar Hamlin and being carted off with another concussion in the first quarter. He'd notch three tackles before his exit. There is no update on him, but he'll have an entire offseason's worth of time to get right after Kansas City knocked his team out of contention in their quest for a three-peat. More importantly, hopefully, Benford does not suffer adverse effects from two concussions in a short period of time.
Christian Benford, Baylon Spector Questionable For Bills Defense
Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (concussion, personal) and linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) are both listed as questionable for the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday on the road. Benford was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being downgraded to a DNP on Friday for personal reasons. The 24-year-old defensive back will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist before Sunday in order to play, as he remains in the league's concussion protocol. In addition, safety Taylor Rapp (back, hip) is out, so Buffalo's secondary could be even more short-handed on Sunday. The good news is that Taron Johnson (neck, shoulder) will play against KC. Spector practiced all week but remains on Injured Reserve. He will need to be activated by Saturday to have a shot at suiting up as linebacker depth.
Christian Benford, Taron Johnson Limited On Thursday
Buffalo Bills cornerbacks Christian Benford (concussion) and Taron Johnson (neck, shoulder) were both limited in the team's practice on Thursday. It was the second straight limited practice of the week for Benford, while Johnson was a downgrade after he put in a full practice on Wednesday. Benford is most likely going to need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to have a shot to clear the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson injured his neck in the wild-card win over the Denver Broncos but was able to suit up in the win over the Ravens, where he apparently picked up a shoulder ailment. The Bills could just be resting him on Thursday ahead of the AFC Championship on Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills could be strong DFS play against a Chiefs offense that hasn't been as explosive this season.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (knee) is listed as questionable to return to Monday's wild-card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bills can really not afford many more injuries to their defense. If the 23-year-old is unable to return for the rest of the game against Pittsburgh, Siran Neal, Dane Jackson and Cam Lewis should see more playing time for the Bills' secondary. If the Bills advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Benford may not be ready to go next weekend. In his second season with Buffalo during the 2023 season, Benford had 54 tackles (43 solo), three tackles for loss, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 15 regular season games.
Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Christian Benford (hand) suffered a fractured hand in the Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, according to a source. According to Bills beat writer Chris Brown, Benford will need surgery to fix his broken hand and will miss multiple games as a result. The Bills have also been without Dane Jackson (neck) and star Tre'Davious White (knee), so Buffalo's secondary is in shambles early in the year. Safety Micah Hyde (neck) is out for the year and Jordan Poyer (foot) was inactive on Sunday. If Jackson isn't able to return in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens after getting injured in Week 2, the Bills may have to turn to cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram. It's good news for the Ravens receivers.
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