ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills reached an agreement Saturday to sign cornerback Christian Benford to a four-year, $76 million contract extension in their latest offseason move to secure a young core player to a long-term deal, a person familiar with discussions confirmed to The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the agreement. ESPN.com first reported the move.
The 24-year-old Benford was entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Villanova. The extension runs through the 2029 season.
Benford has been a Bills starter since winning the job to open his second season following a competition with 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who was traded to Dallas last month. Overall, Benford has five interceptions, including two last season, and credited with 25 passes defended.
Benford becomes the latest player the five-time defending AFC East champion Bills have locked up to long-term extensions this offseason. He joins quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terell Bernard and edge-rusher Greg Rousseau.
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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)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points and the Milwaukee Bucks relied on a team-record shooting performance to snap a four-game skid by winning 133-123 over the slumping and short-handed Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
The Bucks shot 68.9% (51 of 73) from the floor to set a franchise record for field-goal percentage. The previous record was 66.7% on Dec. 15, 1985, against Sacramento.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers improved his career record to 1,155-816 and tied Phil Jackson for seventh place in NBA history in regular-season wins.
The Suns lost their fourth straight. They were playing without Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Royce O’Neale.
Durant sprained his left ankle Sunday and isn’t expected to be available for this entire three-game trip. Beal has a hamstring injury and last played on March 16. O’Neale is dealing with an illness.
Devin Booker had 39 points and 11 assists for Phoenix. Grayson Allen added 23 points and Collin Gillespie had 18.
Ryan Rollins scored 23 and Brook Lopez had 22 for Milwaukee.
This marked the first time Phoenix’s Mike Budenholzer had coached against Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum since the Bucks fired him two years ago. Budenholzer coached the Bucks from 2018-23 and led the franchise to a title in 2021.
Suns: Phoenix fell two games behind ninth-place Dallas and 1 1/2 games behind 10th-place Sacramento in the Western Conference standings.
Bucks: Milwaukee moved within three games of fourth-place Indiana and one game of fifth-place Detroit in the East.
After trailing by 22 in the second half, Phoenix cut Milwaukee’s lead to 124-120 on Grayson Allen's 3-pointer with 1:20 left. Milwaukee’s Ryan Rollins responded 11 seconds later by sinking a 3-pointer to give the Bucks some breathing room.
Milwaukee was 17 of 29 from 3-point range.
The Bucks visit Philadelphia on Thursday. The Suns are at Boston on Friday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against the Phoenix Suns' Nick Richards (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives agains the Phoenix Suns' Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Kevin Porter Jr. (3) puts up a shot against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Kevin Porter Jr. (3) puts up a shot against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Ryan Rollins, left and Phoenix Suns' Collin Gillespie (12) reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shouts instruction to teammates against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after he dunked against the Phoenix Suns' Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
