Bills Re-Sign Damar Hamlin to 1-Year Deal After Brutal Injury-Shortened Season
BUFFALO, N.Y. — March 28, 2026 —
The Buffalo Bills have brought back safety Damar Hamlin on another one-year contract, keeping the cardiac-arrest survivor in western New York for a sixth NFL season after a pectoral injury wiped out most of his 2025 campaign.
The move signals Buffalo’s continued belief in Hamlin’s value as a depth piece and special-teams contributor — even as the Bills have significantly reshaped their safety room this offseason. For Hamlin, 28, it is the second consecutive one-year deal he has signed with the only NFL franchise he has ever played for.
The Official Word From Buffalo
The Bills announced the signing on Friday, March 27, confirming Hamlin’s place on a safety roster that now also features Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Jordan Hancock, and Sam Franklin Jr.
“For me, it’s not just about football or performance, it’s about purpose,” said Damar Hamlin, speaking to The New York Post ahead of the deal being made official.
Hamlin added that heading into 2026, he is approaching the season with a deliberate shift in mindset — focusing on his own well-being first.
A Season Derailed by Injury
Hamlin’s 2025 season was over almost before it began.
A pectoral-muscle tear suffered during practice forced him onto injured reserve after just five games, with a single tackle to his name for the entire year.
It was a steep drop from 2024, when Hamlin started all 14 games he appeared in, totalled 89 tackles, and recorded his first two career interceptions.
Veteran Provides Proven Depth
Despite the thin 2025 stat line, Hamlin brings genuine pedigree to Buffalo’s defensive backfield.
Over his five-year career he has accumulated 185 regular-season tackles, two interceptions, nine passes defended, 1.5 sacks, and 27 starts.
He has also logged seven playoff appearances, contributing 18 postseason tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and two tackles for loss.
Where He Fits in the 2026 Safety Room
With Gardner-Johnson and Stone arriving as free-agent signings alongside the incumbent Bishop, Hamlin’s path to a starting role is narrow.
Buffalo Rumblings reported that his primary contribution in 2026 is likely to come on special teams, with defensive snaps available as injury cover.
Pro Football Rumors noted that Hamlin’s previous deal was worth $2 million fully guaranteed; a similar or slightly lower figure is expected on this contract given his reduced role.
The Bigger Picture Beyond Football
Hamlin’s on-field story cannot be separated from what happened on the night of Jan. 2, 2023, when he collapsed on the field during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering commotio cordis — a rare, often fatal cardiac arrest triggered by a blunt blow to the chest.
He was resuscitated by medical personnel on the field, spent two days sedated in critical condition, and was discharged from hospital nine days later.
Since his recovery, Hamlin has partnered with the American Heart Association, advocated for CPR legislation, and run his Chasing M’s Foundation, which focuses on health equity and education in underserved communities.
He finished second in Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year voting in 2023 and has twice been named the NFLPA Community MVP.
The Contract in Context
This is the third straight offseason in which Hamlin has bet on himself with a short-term deal rather than seeking a multi-year commitment elsewhere.
With Jordan Poyer’s future uncertain — the veteran safety is unsigned and a retirement announcement is widely expected — Hamlin’s experience could prove more valuable than his backup designation suggests.
For Buffalo, the signing costs little against the cap and preserves a locker-room presence the organisation clearly values.
This article was human-curated and verified for accuracy by Riley Quinn after an initial AI-assisted draft.
