Bills' James Cook, Khalil Shakir Get $21.3 Million Contract Updates After Super Bowl

Buffalo starts to get an idea of its cap situation with these guaranteed salaries.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:23am

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The day after the Super Bowl, four members of the Buffalo Bills had their contract salaries totally guaranteed for the 2026 NFL season, including offensive stalwarts James Cook and Khalil Shakir. Cook and Shakir's salaries for the season ahead will combine for $21.3 million.

Why it matters

These contract guarantees give the Bills a clearer picture of their salary cap situation as they head into the offseason with a new head coach, Joe Brady, taking over for Sean McDermott.

The details

The four players who had their 2026 salaries fully guaranteed were cornerback Christian Benford ($14.5 million), wide receiver Khalil Shakir ($11.9 million), running back James Cook ($9.4 million), and linebacker Terrel Bernard ($8.9 million). Shakir signed a deal before last season that made him the highest-paid slot receiver in the NFL, while Cook's contract was finalized late in the preseason after some negotiations.

  • The contract guarantees were announced on Monday, February 10, 2026, the day after the Super Bowl.

The players

James Cook

A running back for the Buffalo Bills who had his $9.4 million salary for the 2026 season fully guaranteed.

Khalil Shakir

A wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills who had his $11.9 million salary for the 2026 season fully guaranteed, making him the highest-paid slot receiver in the NFL.

Christian Benford

A cornerback for the Buffalo Bills who had his $14.5 million salary for the 2026 season fully guaranteed.

Terrel Bernard

A linebacker for the Buffalo Bills who had his $8.9 million salary for the 2026 season fully guaranteed.

Joe Brady

The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, taking over for Sean McDermott.

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What’s next

The Bills will now have a clearer picture of their salary cap situation as they head into the offseason and work to build their roster for the 2026 season under new head coach Joe Brady.

The takeaway

These contract guarantees for key offensive players like James Cook and Khalil Shakir, as well as defensive standouts like Christian Benford, show the Bills' commitment to keeping their core group together as they transition to a new head coach. The total $21.3 million in guaranteed salaries will be a significant part of their 2026 cap, but retaining these talented players is crucial as the team aims to compete for a Super Bowl.