Christian Benford

Buffalo Bills, Cornerback

Age: 25y-5m-14d (Sep 21, 2000)

Exp: 5 Years

Country: US

College: Villanova

Drafted: Round 6 (#185 overall), 2022

Agent(s): Hadley Engelhard, James Ulrich (Enter-Sports Management)

2026 Cap Hit

$7,456,000

2026 Cash

$15,556,000

Career Earnings

$12,061,671

2025-2029 Rookie Extension (CURRENT)

Christian Benford signed a 4 year, $69,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including $7,500,000 signing bonus, $37,636,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,250,000. In 2026, Benford will earn a base salary of $2,546,000, a signing bonus of $12,000,000 and a workout bonus of $500,000, while carrying a cap hit of $7,456,000 and a dead cap value of $23,046,000.

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $69,000,000

Average Salary:

$17,250,000

Signing Bonus:

$7,500,000

GTD at Sign:

$18,850,000

Total GTD:

$37,636,000

Free Agent:

2030 / UFA

MANAGE CONTRACT

Year	Age	Status	Cap HitAnnual	Cap % League Cap	Cash Annual	Cash Cumulative	Dead Cap Annual
2025	25		$2,655,500	0.95%	$8,606,931	$8,606,931	$18,905,500
2026	26		$7,456,000	2.46%	$15,556,000	$24,162,931	$23,046,000
2027	27		$19,400,000	6.09%	$15,500,000	$39,662,931	$16,600,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 3 YR, $39,662,931; $10,200,000 DEAD CAP
2028	28		$20,150,000	6.02%	$16,250,000	$55,912,931	$10,200,000
2029	29		$20,400,000	5.59%	$16,500,000	$72,412,931	$6,300,000
2030	30	Void UFA	$2,400,000	0.60%	-	$72,412,931	$2,400,000

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Proration	Roster Bonus	Active/GM Roster Bonus	Option Proration	Workout Bonus	Cap Hit	Cap % League	Dead Cap
2025	25		$1,100,000	$1,548,569	-	-	-	$6,931	$2,655,500	0.95%	$18,905,500
2026	26		$2,546,000	$1,500,000	-	$510,000	$2,400,000	$500,000	$7,456,000	2.46%	$23,046,000	2026 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE Today → 03/15/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $23,046,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-15,590,000 03/15/2026 → 03/17/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $35,036,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-27,580,000 03/17/2026 → 06/01/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $47,036,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-39,580,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $18,000,000 2026 Savings: $-10,544,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2026 Dead Cap: $27,732,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,100,000 2026 Savings: $-20,276,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 03/15/2026 → 03/17/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $39,722,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,100,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-32,266,000 03/17/2026 → 06/01/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $51,722,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,100,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-44,266,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $15,900,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,100,000 2026 Savings: $-8,444,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2027	27		$14,490,000	$1,500,000	-	$510,000	$2,400,000	$500,000	$19,400,000	6.09%	$16,600,000	2027 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE Today → 03/15/2026 2027 Dead Cap: $16,600,000 2027 Cap Savings: $2,800,000 03/15/2026 → 06/01/2027 2027 Dead Cap: $28,590,000 2027 Cap Savings: $-9,190,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $14,100,000 2027 Savings: $5,300,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2027 Dead Cap: $6,400,000 2028 Dead Cap: $10,200,000 2027 Savings: $13,000,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $6,400,000 2028 Dead Cap: $10,200,000 2027 Savings: $13,000,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2028 Dead Cap: $10,200,000 2027 Savings: $15,500,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 3 YR, $39,662,931; $10,200,000 DEAD CAP
2028	28		$15,240,000	$1,500,000	-	$510,000	$2,400,000	$500,000	$20,150,000	6.02%	$10,200,000	2028 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $10,200,000 2028 Savings: $9,950,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $10,200,000 2028 Savings: $9,950,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2028 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2029 Dead Cap: $6,300,000 2028 Savings: $16,250,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2029 Dead Cap: $6,300,000 2028 Savings: $16,250,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2029 Dead Cap: $6,300,000 2028 Savings: $16,250,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2029	29		$12,490,000	$1,500,000	$3,000,000	$510,000	$2,400,000	$500,000	$20,400,000	5.59%	$6,300,000	2029 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $6,300,000 2029 Savings: $14,100,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $6,300,000 2029 Savings: $14,100,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2029 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2029 Savings: $16,500,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2029 Savings: $16,500,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $3,900,000 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2029 Savings: $16,500,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2030	30	Void UFA	-	-	-	-	$2,400,000	-	$2,400,000	0.60%	$2,400,000	2030 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2030 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2030 Savings: $0 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $2,400,000 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Bonus	Roster Bonus	Active/Gm Roster Bonus	Option Bonus	Workout Bonus	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Cash Remaining
2025	25		$1,100,000	$7,500,000	-	-	-	$6,931	$8,606,931	$8,606,931	$72,412,931
2026	26		$2,546,000	-	-	$510,000	$12,000,000	$500,000	$15,556,000	$24,162,931	$63,806,000
2027	27		$14,490,000	-	-	$510,000	-	$500,000	$15,500,000	$39,662,931	$48,250,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 3 YR, $39,662,931; $10,200,000 DEAD CAP
2028	28		$15,240,000	-	-	$510,000	-	$500,000	$16,250,000	$55,912,931	$32,750,000
2029	29		$12,490,000	-	$3,000,000	$510,000	-	$500,000	$16,500,000	$72,412,931	$16,500,000
2030	30	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$72,412,931	-

Contract Notes

$18.85M guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2025 salary + $10.25M of 2026 salary)
Additional $4.296M of 2026 salary & $2.5M of 2027 salary fully guarantees a day after the 2026 Super Bowl
Remaining $11.99M of 2027 salary fully guarantees the 5th league day of 2026 (injury guaranteed at sign)
$3.164M of 2028 salary guaranteed for injury only
2026 Option Bonus: $12M ($10.25M fully guaranteed, must be exercised by the 7th league day of 2026)
2026-2029 Per Game Active Bonus: $30,000 ($510,000)
2029 90-Man Roster Bonus: $3M (5th league day of 2029)
INT Incentive (non-cumulative)
4 INT: $400,000
5 INT: $650,000
6 INT: $1M
1st All-Pro Escalator: $500,000

Source: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2022-2025 Rookie

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $3,854,276

Average Salary:

$963,569

Signing Bonus:

$194,276

GTD at Sign:

$194,276

Total GTD:

$194,276

Free Agent:

2026 / UFA

To see the rest of the Christian Benford's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

Seasons

5 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$12,061,671

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year	Age	Status	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2022	22	Active	$792,334	$792,334
2023	23	Active	$870,000	$1,662,334
2024	24	Active	$1,792,406	$3,454,740
2025	25	Active	$8,606,931	$12,061,671
Total			$12,061,671	$12,061,671
2026	26	Active	$15,556,000
2027	27	Active	$15,500,000
2028	28	Active	$16,250,000
2029	29	Active	$16,500,000
Total			$75,867,671

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
4		$3,553,058	$7,694,276	-	-	$16,381	$797,956	$12,061,671

Year	Age	Base	Signing	Restructure	Option	Workout	Incentives	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2022	22	$598,058	$194,276					$792,334	$792,334
2023	23	$870,000						$870,000	$1,662,334
2024	24	$985,000				$9,450	$797,956	$1,792,406	$3,454,740
2025	25	$1,100,000	$7,500,000			$6,931		$8,606,931	$12,061,671
Total		$3,553,058	$7,694,276			$16,381	$797,956	$12,061,671	$12,061,671
2026	26	$2,546,000			$12,000,000	$500,000		$15,556,000
2027	27	$14,490,000				$500,000		$15,500,000
2028	28	$15,240,000				$500,000		$16,250,000
2029	29	$12,490,000		$3,000,000		$500,000		$16,500,000
Total		$48,319,058	$7,694,276	$3,000,000	$12,000,000	$2,016,381	$797,956	$75,867,671

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
4		$3,553,058	$7,694,276	-	-	$16,381	$797,956	$12,061,671

Injuries

Year		Weeks	Reason
2022	BUF	12 - 17	Oblique

Nov 07, 2025 Fined $14,715 Impermissible Use of the Helmet against Kansas City (KC)
Mar 29, 2025 Signed a 4 year $76 million contract extension with Buffalo (BUF)
May 13, 2022 Signed a 4 year $3.85 million contract with Buffalo (BUF)
Apr 30, 2022 Drafted by Buffalo (BUF): Round 6 (#185 overall)

Fines

Date		Reason		Fine Amount
Nov 07, 2025		Impermissible Use of the Helmet against Kansas City (KC)		$14,715
Fines: 1				$14,715

Year	Team	GP	GS	Snaps	Snaps%	Sack	Tackles Total	Tackles Solo	Tackles Assisted	FFum	Int
2025	BUF	14	14	796	70.32	2	43	32	11	0	2
2024	BUF	15	15	933	85.91	1	63	49	14	2	2
2023	BUF	15	14	824	70.85	0	54	43	11	2	2
2022	BUF	9	5	363	33.58	0	24	17	7	0	1

TRENDING PLAYERS

1 Stefon Diggs (WR, NE)
2 Stefon Diggs (WR, NE)
3 Kyler Murray (QB, ARI)
4 Kyler Murray (QB, ARI)
5 Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL)
6 Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL)
7 Drew Dalman (C, CHI)
8 Drew Dalman (C, CHI)
9 Trent McDuffie (CB, LAR)
10 Trent McDuffie (CB, LAR)
11 Maxx Crosby (DE, LV)
12 Maxx Crosby (DE, LV)
13 A.J. Brown (WR, PHI)
14 A.J. Brown (WR, PHI)
15 Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)

TRENDING PAGES

1 2026 Center Free Agents
2 2026 Center Free Agents
3 NFL Transactions
4 NFL Transactions
5 NFL Cap Tracker

TRENDING PAGES

2026 Center Free Agents

2026 Center Free Agents

NFL Transactions

TRENDING PLAYERS

Stefon Diggs (WR, NE)

Stefon Diggs (WR, NE)

Kyler Murray (QB, ARI)

HOME

PREMIUM SIGN IN

NEWS

PODCASTS

Christian Benford

2026 Cap Hit

2026 Cash

Career Earnings

2025-2029 Rookie Extension (CURRENT)

2022-2025 Rookie

Seasons

Career Earnings thru 2026

Earnings w/ Different Teams

Earnings Per Year

Earnings Per Team

Earnings Per Team

Injuries

Fines

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

Potential Next-Man-Up NFL Contract Candidates

TRANSACTIONS

Nov 07, 2025

Mar 29, 2025

May 13, 2022

Apr 30, 2022

TRENDING PLAYERS

TRENDING PAGES

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Atlantic

Central

Southeast

Northwest

Pacific

Southwest

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

AL East

AL Central

AL West

NL East

NL Central

NL West

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Atlantic

Metropolitan

Central

Pacific

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Eastern

Western

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Eastern

Western

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Home

Popular Pages

Trending Players

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East