BREAKING: Buffalo Bills extends players contract.

The Buffalo Bills secured their second major contract extension of the offseason on Friday, March 7, by signing linebacker Terrel Bernard to a four-year, $50 million deal. This follows the team’s decision last week to extend wide receiver Khalil Shakir on a four-year, $60.2 million contract.

Both Bernard and Shakir recently completed their third season in Buffalo and are now locked in for several more years with the franchise.

However, general manager Brandon Beane may have his sights set on extending three other key starters and former draft picks this summer. Each of these players has spent at least three seasons with the Bills and is eligible for an extension if both sides can reach an agreement.

Running back James Cook (three seasons), cornerback Christian Benford (three), and defensive end Gregory Rousseau (four) are all potential candidates for new deals. Given their performances, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team has already reached out to begin contract discussions.

Here’s a breakdown of these extension candidates, ranked from most to least likely to sign next—at least in my opinion.

1. Christian Benford

Over the past three seasons, Christian Benford has transformed from a player who initially raised concerns about the Bills’ selection of Kaiir Elam into a legitimate star. In August 2023, I tweeted that “Christian Benford might be to Kaiir Elam what Kyle Williams was to John McCargo,” and that comparison has proven to be spot on. Had Benford been a first-round pick, Brandon Beane would be receiving even more praise for what has turned out to be an outstanding selection.

Over the last two seasons, Benford has firmly established himself as one of the league’s top cornerbacks. According to NextGen Stats, he led the NFL in yards allowed per coverage snap (0.5), outperforming 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. Additionally, among cornerbacks with at least 350 coverage snaps in 2024, Benford ranked second with a -40.3% DVOA (only trailing Surtain II’s -45.1%, where lower is better for defensive efficiency).

Benford plays with an aggressive, physical style, making life difficult for opposing receivers on every snap. He forces them to battle for separation, fight for the catch, and struggle to maintain possession once they do.

While his back-to-back concussions at the end of the 2024 season are a concern, he should still be the Bills’ top priority for an extension. A four-year, $85 million deal with $45 million guaranteed would be a fair benchmark, especially when compared to Surtain’s most recent contract.

2. Gregory Rousseau

While Gregory Rousseau hasn’t quite reached star status in the eyes of analysts the way Christian Benford has, he has been a dependable presence on Buffalo’s defensive line since being drafted 30th overall in 2021—the same slot the Bills hold in the 2025 draft. This past season, he matched his career-high with eight sacks during the regular season.

Known for his strong run defense and solid pass-rushing ability, Rousseau possesses rare length and is still just 24 years old. The Bills might choose to invest in his continued development, similar to how they extended defensive tackle Ed Oliver last offseason. In 2024, Rousseau ranked 24th in the NFL in Pass Rush Productivity (PRP), a Pro Football Focus metric that accounts for sacks, hits, and hurries relative to pass-rushing opportunities. Interestingly, he was tied in that category with free-agent edge rusher Khalil Mack, a former University at Buffalo standout whom many view as a potential target in 2025 free agency.

Rousseau’s situation highlights the ongoing debate over how much teams should pay young, talented players who are good but not necessarily elite. Because of that, I see his extension as a lower priority than Benford’s.

Montez Sweat, a late first-round edge rusher who has never posted a double-digit sack season, landed a four-year, $98 million deal with the Chicago Bears. That price range seems like a reasonable market comparison for Rousseau, but I’d be surprised if the Bills were in a hurry to commit that kind of money to him.

3. James Cook

James Cook is undeniably a talented running back, but if the Bills were to sign him to the $15 million per year deal he’s reportedly seeking, it would mark the first time in the Brandon Beane era that the team has invested significant resources in a player at his position. The fact that Cook played less than 50% of offensive snaps and was taken off the field in certain situations suggests that the organization either:
A) Doesn’t believe he could handle an increased workload, or
B) Doesn’t fully trust him as the best option on the roster for specific downs and distances.

Interestingly, Cook actually had fewer touches per game in 2024 than in 2023, but a major spike in rushing touchdowns has changed the perception of his season. If the Bills could secure a deal similar to James Conner’s two-year, $19 million contract, they might be more inclined to move forward with an extension.

Brandon Beane acknowledged at the NFL Scouting Combine that negotiations can evolve over time, so there’s still a possibility of reaching an agreement that works for both sides. However, based on the team’s historical approach to running backs, Cook’s extension seems like the least likely of the three candidates.

Additionally, two non-drafted Bills players—guard David Edwards and defensive back Cam Lewis—deserve recognition as potential extension candidates. While their deals wouldn’t generate as much buzz as the three primary names, the team clearly values their contributions, and they could soon be the subject of a breaking news alert.

What do you think, Bills Mafia? Who do you see as the next player to get an extension? How would you rank the likelihood of each deal?