As the NFL Draft nears, everyone focuses on the next big stars. But what about the players who’ve already put in the work? The month of March kicks off a stretch where young talents finally get what they’ve earned. It’s the moment they stop playing on rookie deals and start making real money. So, what’s the situation in Brandon Beane’s Buffalo Bills?

No doubt the Bills are facing pivotal decisions this offseason. Although the quarterback remains locked in through 2030 with an extension, Brandon Beane still struggles to pay his two key players in the offensive and defensive units. On one hand, cornerback Christian Benford is waiting for a deal soon, while on the other hand, running back James Cook has a very high opinion of himself.

Talking about Benford first, the player might be one of the most underrated defenders in the NFL. He has been Sean McDermott‘s most reliable coverage player, ranking among the league’s best since 2023. In fact, last season, he finished sixth in both wins above replacement and PFF grade (79.3).

Benford is only 24 but has already locked down quarterbacks, holding them to an 86.6 passer rating when targeted. Over three seasons, he has broken up 25 passes. So, yes, GM Brandon Beane and the Bills know they can’t afford to lose him. But with less than $5 million in cap space, it won’t be easy. And thanks to Houston’s massive extension for Derek Stingley – the price just went up.

Despite that, the team still just cannot afford to lose him. Letting a young star walk while filling the CB position and trying to compete in a stacked AFC simultaneously? That’s a pure risk they can’t take. Now, let’s not forget our second athlete, James Cook, who also has shown in the games why he should be paid!

James Cook isn’t just playing for stats – he’s playing for a payday. And he’s not afraid to say it. After back-to-back standout seasons, where he recorded the most combined rushing and receiving touchdowns (17) in the league, he knows his value. Hence, last month, he made his wish on Instagram, declaring he’s worth $15 million a year. Then, on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, he backed it up – “I just feel like we’re deserving of it. Like, why not? We work all of our life to get paid. Feed me the big bucks.”

But the problem is running backs don’t get the respect or the contracts they used to. The franchise tag for 2025 is just $13.6 million, barely above special team players. By 2026, it will rise slightly but not enough to change the trend. Now, Brandon Beane and the Bills have a decision to make. Do they pay up or let one of their best offensive weapons walk?

Time is running out, and we should not forget that the team is in a win-now mode. So, letting players like Benford and Cook walk away might hamper the process!

Nevertheless, many sports analysts believe that Brandon Beane would come out with the deals at the right time and that too soon. That’s probably the reason one of them ranked the Bills at number one in free agency!

The Bills’ future is in the safe hands of Brandon Beane

Brandon Beane has been making smart moves since 2017, keeping Sean McDermott’s Bills competitive but always falling just short. Could this be the year they finally break through? ESPN’s Ben Solak thinks so!

Solak ranked the Bills No. 1 in the 2025 NFL free agency, praising Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott’s strategy of locking up homegrown talent before prices skyrocketed. Players like Khalil Shakir, Greg Rousseau, and Terrel Bernard all signed extensions well below market value, keeping Buffalo’s core intact.

He expressed, “The Shakir extension is only $15 million per year. [Greg] Rousseau got $20 million per year. Bernard is a $12.5 million per year. Those are three young cornerstones of a perennial contender, and they’re staying in Buffalo for remarkably less than their open market number.”

The only hiccup? Joshua Palmer’s contract.

Solak felt that Brandon Beane and the Bills overpaid for a role player. According to him, “Palmer is going to fill the Mack Hollins role, but I’m not sure he’s going to elevate it much — certainly not for double the price tag… Still, this is a small complaint in an otherwise great class.”

Besides this, surprisingly, he didn’t even mention the signing of Joey Bosa in the Bills – a risky $12 million chance on a player with just 14 sacks in three seasons.

Nevertheless, when compared to their AFC rivals, Sean McDermott’s Bills are in a great spot. It seems they might finally be ready to take that last step with Christian Benford and James Cook!