The Buffalo Bills have already signed veteran safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone to shore up their safety room this offseason, and then, on Friday, the Bills brought back a familiar face to serve as valuable depth at the position.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by discussing the news that Damar Hamlin is returning to the team on a one-year deal.
Damar Hamlin back on one-year deal
Damar Hamlin has been a fan-favorite and a great underdog story ever since he worked his way back onto the field following a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2022 NFL season.
Advertisement
Hamlin’s fate with the 2026 Bills was uncertain, however, as he was a free agent and the Bills had already brought in veterans C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone to surround up-and-coming starter Cole Bishop in the safety room.
But Hamlin, who turned 28 on Tuesday, is staying with the Bills on a one-year contract, returning for a sixth season with Buffalo. The signing of Hamlin gives the Bills a deep and experienced quartet of safeties at the back of their defense.
Hamlin has appeared in 53 career regular-season games (27 starts) and seven career playoff games (three starts) with two career interceptions, nine pass breakups, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. During the 2024 season, Hamlin started 14 games and recorded his first three takeaways, and in Buffalo’s AFC Divisional Round home win over the Baltimore Ravens, Hamlin delivered a crucial strip-sack of Lamar Jackson that served as a key turning point in the victory.
Last season, Hamlin served as a backup to Bishop and Taylor Rapp and appeared in only five games because of a pectoral injury.
Advertisement
As of now, it appears Bishop and Gardner-Johnson will likely serve as the two starting safeties, with Stone and Hamlin serving as valuable depth pieces.
Even more Bills news
Speculating on what it would take the Bills to extend starting right guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Plus, breaking down Buffalo’s chances of trading for edge rusher Myles Garrett; and the Pro Football Hall of Fame is honoring three former Bills during the annual Awards of Excellence program.
