Latest news with #ChristianBenford
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Top Rookie Offers Good News Scouting Report in Camp
When the Buffalo Bills drafted Dorian Strong in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech two weeks ago, the team was hoping he could be another late-round steal that the team has become accustomed to enjoying. Back in 2022, the Bills drafted Christian Benford in the sixth round after already having selected Kaiir Elam with their first round pick in that same draft. Benford ended up being the better player, and worthy of a long-term extension this offseason. Advertisement Could the Bills be going through that again? Unlike Elam was back in his rookie year, 30th overall pick Maxwell Hairston is welcoming the challenge of a late-round contender in Strong. While speaking with the media, Hairston offered a scouting report of sorts on camp and said fellow cornerback Dorian Strong had a good day during Bills rookie camp, while also adding the two will "lean on each other and help each other get through this process." "Dorian Strong had a really good day today, just being somebody that, you know, I'm taking mental reps when I watch D. Strong. Seeing him go out there and play with poise and play like he's already adjusted, that was good to see." Advertisement Healthy competition is always important in the NFL. It separates the great teams from the mediocre and can help crown champions early on in the season. For the Bills, more competition means a better defense moving forward. And a chance to finally put an end to the Kansas City Chiefs' run of excellence in the conference. Related: Bills Sign Rookie With Maxx Crosby Role Model Goal Related: Bills 'Lethal Pairing' Key To Super Bowl Success?
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills CB Benford draws on childhood memories to fulfill dreams of NFL career and as a budding author
FILE - Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Orchard Park, N.Y., Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes, File) FILE - Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) reacts after defending a play against New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File) FILE - Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) reacts after defending a play against New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File) FILE - Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Orchard Park, N.Y., Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes, File) FILE - Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) reacts after defending a play against New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File) ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Amid the violence and overdoses Christian Benford encountered, and countless funerals he attended growing up near one of Baltimore's toughest neighborhoods, the Buffalo Bills cornerback preferred focusing on two fond childhood memories upon signing what he called a life-changing contract. The recollections involved dandelions and a Power Rangers watch. Advertisement Both sprung to mind Wednesday at a time the 24-year-old further cemented one lifelong dream of an NFL career — Benford's four-year, $69 million contract extension secures his future in Buffalo through 2029. And he's eagerly looking ahead to achieving another with the upcoming release of a children's book he wrote. 'What's them little flowers you pick up and make a wish and blow on it?' Benford said, searching for the word dandelion. 'Yeah. Like my sisters would say, 'Make a wish.' And I always wished to make it to the NFL and change my family.' In three seasons, Benford has made the jump from relative obscurity as a sixth-round draft pick out of Villanova to establishing himself as Buffalo's long-term starter. And he's using his higher-profile platform with a 26-page book 'Stylish Safari: The Adventures of Being You' due out this month. The story revolves around the main character, Benny the Bobcat, overcoming being teased for how he's dressed. Benny, of course, is short for Benford, with the player drawing inspiration from the day he confronted a bully teasing him over his Power Rangers watch. Advertisement 'I always believed, be you. It's OK to be different,' Benford said. 'So after that happened, I felt good, like, I'm still rocking my Power Rangers watch. Can't nobody tell me nothing.' Benny's tale is far more watered down than what Benford said he encountered as a child, with the bobcat completing a birthday challenge to deliver what Mynd Matters Publishing describes as 'an inspiring message about self-expression and kindness.' And yet, the 'be true to yourself' message is ideally the same, and one Benford shares with his son. 'God made you the way you are for a reason. He gave you the name that you got for a reason. He gave you your attributes,' he said. 'Be different and stand 10 toes about it. So that's why I wanted to write that book.' Advertisement For a player who spent his first three seasons expressing hardly a peep to reporters, Benford has found his voice. And it comes as a result of validating his self-confidence and his determination to get out of Baltimore, and instilled by his beloved late mother, Christel, and father Jewell. Through various challenges and setbacks, Benford refused to let up. He shakes his head at the memory of growing up with his siblings and cousins and scrounging through couch cushions to gather enough change to buy a bag of chips to share for dinner. There's the tattoo of a half-empty heart on his right cheek in honor of his mother, who died four years ago, someone who relentlessly pushed Benford to pursue an education through football for a better future. Advertisement In Buffalo, Benford established his quiet, determined presence during his 2022 rookie year with five starts in nine games before landing on injured reserve. A year later, Benford won the starting job coming out of training camp ahead of 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who was traded to Houston last month. Benford has five interceptions and 25 passes defended while starting 34 of 39 games. And the Bills placed such faith in a player to sign him to the extension with a year still left on his rookie contract. 'I'd probably tell younger me, all those tears at night, it's going to pay off. All that heavy thought, all that worrying for the family, trying to handle everything,' he said, reflecting back. 'And everybody that didn't believe in you, all the people that backdoored you, it's all right, bro. ... just keep your head high. Smile,' Benford said. 'And I'd probably give myself a hug.' Advertisement Dandelion wishes do come true. And no one is teasing Christian Benford now. The book became a family affair, with his sister Jewel providing artwork and input — she came up with the name Benny. Benford also credited his father, an avid reader, for inspiring his desire to write. 'He's got mad books, like he'll forget the books he's got,' Benford said, realizing his book will now adorn one of his father's shelves. 'It means a lot. I hope he's proud.' ___ AP NFL:
NBC Sports
03-04-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Christian Benford: Contract is life-changing, but won't change how I approach the game
Bills cornerback Christian Benford's new contract will change his life. But not his approach. Benford said in announcing the deal that the money, about $70 million over the life of the contract, will make an enormous difference to his family. 'Let's be for real – like, it's a life-changing moment,' Benford said, via the Buffalo News. 'Let's just put all things to the side. Let's clear the air. Let's address the elephant in the room. Like, this is life changing – like, family, legacy, everything.' But Benford said that on the field, he'll be the same player he's been since the Bills drafted him in 2022. 'My drive's already still strong to be the best in the league,' Benford said. '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. But yeah, for the drive standpoint, it ain't really touch that foundation.'
NBC Sports
02-04-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Inside the Christian Benford deal
The Bills recently signed cornerback Christian Benford to a four-year extension. As always, the truth of the deal comes a few days later. As to Benford, the full details have arrived. Here they are, per a source with knowledge of the terms. 1. Signing bonus: $7.5 million. 2. 2025 base salary: $1.1 million, fully guaranteed. 3. 2026 option bonus: $12 million (guarantee details below). 4. 2026 offseason workout bonus: $500,000. 5. 2026 base salary: $2.546 million (guarantee details below). 6. 2026 per-game active roster bonus: $510,000 total. 7. 2027 offseason workout bonus: $500,000. 8. 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. 9. 2027 per-game active roster bonus: $510,000 total. 10. 2028 offseason workout bonus: $500,000. 11. 2028 base salary: $15.24 million, $3.164 million of which is guaranteed for injury. 12. 2028 per-game active roster bonus: $510,000 total. 13. 2029 90-man offseason roster bonus: $3 million. 14. 2029 offseason workout bonus: $500,000. 15. 2029 base salary: $12.49 million. 16. 2029 per-game roster bonus: $510,000. 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. It 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 under this formula: $400,000 for four interceptions or $650,000 for five interceptions or $1 million for six interceptions. He'll make an extra $500,000 in salary for 2026 through 2029 based on being named a first-team All-Pro in 2025 through 2028. The four-year extension was initially reported as having a base value of $76 million. But that included the incentives and escalators. The true base value was and is $69 million. That equates to a new-money APY of $17.25 million. The total value at signing is five years, $72.406 million. The average from signing is $14.4812 million. The full guarantee at signing is $18.85 million, with a practical guarantee of $37.636 million.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bills continue run on extensions, agree on deal to keep CB Christian Benford through 2029
Bills continue run on extensions, agree on deal to keep CB Christian Benford through 2029 Brandon Beane locked up another one. The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms on a four-year extension with cornerback Christian Benford, a league source confirmed with GNN Sports. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report and said the deal is worth $76 million. Advertisement Entering free agency, estimated Benford's market value could net $90 million on a four-year extension. As free agency unfolded, there was a belief Benford could get even more. During the offseason, eight cornerbacks agreed to contracts worth at least $16 million per year, with seven getting more than $18 million. Now Benford's reported deal is worth $19 million, which ranks 13th among NFL cornerbacks, per Spotrac. After being the top-ranked cornerback in zone coverage in Pro Football Focus' 2023 rankings, Benford was seventh last season. He was also ranked fourth in man-to-man coverage in 2024. In three NFL seasons, Benford has 142 tackles, five interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 39 games, 34 of which he started. Advertisement Benford, a sixth-round pick (185th overall), is the third member of Buffalo's 2022 draft class to agree to a contract extension, joining linebacker Terrel Bernard and wide receiver Khalil Shakir. He is the fourth Bills player entering the final year of his rookie contract (joining Bernard, Shakir and defensive end Greg Rousseau) to sign a four-year extension during the offseason. The Bills have spent nearly $600 million in extensions, including $330 million on quarterback Josh Allen. The last of Buffalo's priority players from the 2022 draft class left unsigned beyond 2025 is running back James Cook. He has indicated that he desires a $15 million-per-year contract after consecutive Pro Bowl seasons.
