Bills Secure Christian Benford with Four-Year Contract Extension
The Buffalo Bills have locked in cornerback Christian benford with a four-year contract extension,solidifying their defense for the long term. The deal, which extends through the 2029 season, includes a $7.5 million signing bonus and could be worth up to $76 million with incentives and escalators. The true base value of the extension is $69 million, equating to a new-money average per year (APY) of $17.25 million.
Key financial Terms of the Benford Extension
Here’s a breakdown of the financial details of Christian Benford’s four-year extension with the Buffalo Bills:
- Signing Bonus: $7.5 million
- 2025 Base Salary: $1.1 million (fully guaranteed)
- 2026 Option Bonus: $12 million (with guarantee details outlined below)
- 2026 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2026 Base Salary: $2.546 million (with guarantee details outlined below)
- 2026 per-Game Active Roster Bonus: $510,000 total
- 2027 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2027 Base Salary: $14.49 million, guaranteed for injury at signing with $2.5 million fully guaranteed on the day after Super Bowl LX and the remaining $11.99 million fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2026 league year.
- 2027 Per-game Active Roster Bonus: $510,000 total
- 2028 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2028 Base Salary: $15.24 million, $3.164 million of which is guaranteed for injury.
- 2028 Per-Game Active Roster Bonus: $510,000 total
- 2029 90-Man Offseason Roster Bonus: $3 million
- 2029 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2029 Base Salary: $12.49 million
- 2029 Per-Game Roster Bonus: $510,000
Guarantee Structure and Incentive Details
Of the 2026 option bonus and 2026 base salary, $10.25 million is fully guaranteed at signing.The remaining $4.296 million is guaranteed for injury at signing and becomes fully guaranteed on the day after super Bowl LX. The deal also includes up to $5 million in incentives and up to $2 million in escalators.
Benford can earn up to $1 million each year based on his interception performance: $400,000 for four interceptions, $650,000 for five interceptions, or $1 million for six interceptions. He can also earn an extra $500,000 in salary for 2026 through 2029 if named a first-team All-Pro from 2025 through 2028.
Contract Value and Guarantees at signing
The total value of the contract at signing is $72.406 million over five years, translating to an average of $14.4812 million per year from signing. The full guarantee at signing is $18.85 million, with a practical guarantee of $37.636 million.
Based on the contract details,what is the maximum potential value of Christian Benford’s contract,including incentives and escalators?
Bills Secure Christian Benford with Four-Year Contract Extension
The buffalo Bills have locked in cornerback Christian benford with a four-year contract extension,solidifying their defense for the long term. The deal, which extends through the 2029 season, includes a $7.5 million signing bonus and could be worth up to $76 million with incentives and escalators. The true base value of the extension is $69 million, equating to a new-money average per year (APY) of $17.25 million.
Key financial Terms of the Benford Extension
Here’s a breakdown of the financial details of Christian Benford’s four-year extension with the Buffalo Bills:
- Signing Bonus: $7.5 million
- 2025 Base Salary: $1.1 million (fully guaranteed)
- 2026 Option Bonus: $12 million (with guarantee details outlined below)
- 2026 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2026 Base Salary: $2.546 million (with guarantee details outlined below)
- 2026 per-Game Active Roster Bonus: $510,000 total
- 2027 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2027 Base Salary: $14.49 million, guaranteed for injury at signing with $2.5 million fully guaranteed on the day after Super Bowl LX and the remaining $11.99 million fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2026 league year.
- 2027 Per-game Active Roster Bonus: $510,000 total
- 2028 Offseason Workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2028 Base Salary: $15.24 million, $3.164 million of which is guaranteed for injury.
- 2028 Per-Game Active Roster Bonus: $510,000 total
- 2029 90-man Offseason Roster Bonus: $3 million
- 2029 Offseason workout Bonus: $500,000
- 2029 Base Salary: $12.49 million
- 2029 Per-Game Roster Bonus: $510,000
Guarantee Structure and Incentive details
Of the 2026 option bonus and 2026 base salary, $10.25 million is fully guaranteed at signing.The remaining $4.296 million is guaranteed for injury at signing and becomes fully guaranteed on the day after super Bowl LX. The deal also includes up to $5 million in incentives and up to $2 million in escalators.
Benford can earn up to $1 million each year based on his interception performance: $400,000 for four interceptions, $650,000 for five interceptions, or $1 million for six interceptions.He can also earn an extra $500,000 in salary for 2026 through 2029 if named a first-team all-Pro from 2025 through 2028.
Contract Value and Guarantees at signing
The total value of the contract at signing is $72.406 million over five years, translating to an average of $14.4812 million per year from signing. The full guarantee at signing is $18.85 million,with a practical guarantee of $37.636 million.
Christian Benford Contract Extension: Q&A
Here’s a closer look at Christian Benford’s new contract and what it means for the Bills:
1. How much is Christian Benford’s contract worth?
The extension is worth up to $76 million over four years. The base value is $69 million,with a new-money average of $17.25 million per year.
2. What’s the breakdown of the guaranteed money?
At signing, $18.85 million is fully guaranteed. The practical guarantee is $37.636 million. A significant portion of the 2026 option bonus and base salary gets fully guaranteed after Super Bowl LX.
3.What are the incentives Benford can earn?
Benford can earn up to $1 million annually based on interceptions (4, 5, or 6+ interceptions). He can also earn $500,000 per year if named a First-Team All-Pro.
4. What’s an “option bonus” and why is it in the deal?
An option bonus gives the team versatility. The Bills can choose to exercise the option, keeping Benford, or decline, potentially releasing him with less financial impact. It’s a way to structure contracts to manage risk and future salary cap implications.
5. What does “per-game active roster bonus” mean?
This bonus is earned each game Benford is on the Bills’ active roster. It rewards his availability and performance during the season.
6. What are escalators in a contract?
escalators are clauses that increase a player’s salary or bonuses based on achieving certain performance milestones (e.g., Pro Bowl selection, playing time). In Benford’s contract, escalators could increase his earnings by up to $2 million.
7. How does this contract impact the Bills’ salary cap?
The contract is structured to manage the cap over multiple years, with a mix of guaranteed money and potential bonuses.The Bills are likely trying to balance immediate spending with long-term financial planning. the exact cap hit each year depends on how the contract is accounted for.
Understanding the details of benford’s contract extension gives insight into the Bills’ long-term defensive strategy and their commitment to retaining key players. Keep an eye on Benford’s performance and the Bills’ cap situation as the season unfolds.
