ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have secured safety Damar Hamlin for another year, announcing Friday that the 28-year-old defender has agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the franchise for his sixth campaign.
The move keeps Hamlin in Western New York after his previous contract ran out, making him a free agent. His continued presence with Buffalo represents an ongoing story of resilience and determination following his life-threatening medical emergency nearly three years ago.
The defensive back has displayed no lingering effects from the cardiac arrest that required on-field resuscitation during Buffalo’s matchup against Cincinnati in January 2023.
While team officials carefully managed his return by limiting him to five appearances in the 2023 season, Hamlin bounced back to make a career-best 14 starts during the 2024 campaign. However, he moved into a reserve role last year and appeared in only five contests before a chest muscle injury suffered during practice landed him on injured reserve.
With the Bills undergoing significant changes, Hamlin will likely battle for a backup position. The team has brought in Jim Leonhard as the new defensive coordinator, working under recently promoted head coach Joe Brady, who took over after the organization dismissed Sean McDermott in January.
Buffalo has also added veteran safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone through free agency, with both players expected to vie for the starting role alongside Cole Bishop.
The Bills made Hamlin a sixth-round selection from the University of Pittsburgh in the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his professional career spanning 53 games with 27 starts, he has recorded two interceptions.
