One of the most respected leaders in the Buffalo Bills’ locker room is staying put. Linebacker has agreed to a four-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2029 season.
Voted by his teammates as one of the Bills’ two captains for the 2024 campaign, he wrapped up his third NFL season with an impressive stat line: 104 tackles, two interceptions, five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack, and three passes defended.
As the defensive captain, Bernard proved his reliability time and time again throughout the season. One of his most impactful moments came in the AFC Divisional Round against the Ravens, when he forced a crucial fourth-quarter fumble with just under nine minutes remaining. The Bills capitalized on the turnover with a field goal that pushed their lead to eight points—ultimately securing the win.
He delivered another clutch moment in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs, sealing the win with a fourth-quarter interception. With just 1:17 remaining and the Chiefs threatening to cross into Buffalo territory, Bernard picked off Patrick Mahomes on a 4th-and-13 play, securing the victory for the Bills.
Over his three seasons with Buffalo, Bernard has appeared in 46 games and started 31 of them. The middle linebacker has compiled 263 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, five interceptions, 15 tackles for loss, eight passes defended, and four fumble recoveries throughout his career.
His breakout season came in 2023, when he became just the fourth player since 1982 to record at least six sacks, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries in a single season—joining the ranks of Greg Lloyd, Richard Dent, and Seth Joyner.
A Baylor alum, Bernard was selected by the Bills in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.