In a move that has taken the NFL world by surprise, the Miami Dolphins have landed standout cornerback Christian Benford from the Buffalo Bills with a lucrative four-year, $76 million contract. The signing marks a bold move by Miami as they continue to strengthen their defense and aim for dominance in the ultra-competitive AFC East.
Benford, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Villanova, quickly exceeded expectations in Buffalo. In just three seasons, he earned a starting role in 34 of 39 games, compiling 142 total tackles, five interceptions, and 25 pass breakups. His standout performance in the 2024 season, where he led the NFL in fewest yards allowed per coverage snap, solidified his status as one of the league’s most reliable and efficient cornerbacks.
The Dolphins’ acquisition of Benford signals their commitment to building a championship-caliber defense. With star talent already present in Miami’s secondary, Benford’s addition brings both experience and shutdown capability that could prove vital in matchups against top-tier offenses in the AFC.
From Buffalo’s perspective, Benford’s departure leaves a noticeable hole in their defensive backfield. As a key component of their secondary, his exit forces the Bills to reassess their roster and explore new options to fill the void. While the team has depth, losing a player of Benford’s caliber will undoubtedly be a challenge to overcome.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Benford adjusts to his new environment in Miami and how his presence reshapes the dynamics of the AFC East. With matchups against his former team on the horizon, all eyes will be on the former Bill turned Dolphin to see if he can continue his upward trajectory and help push Miami closer to Super Bowl contention.