Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bills make final decision on Damar Hamlin before 2026 NFL season

By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Mar 28, 2026 9:31 AM ET

When Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field due to cardiac arrest during the 2022 season, it became far bigger than football. The moment gripped millions and shifted attention toward something deeper.

Since completing his recovery, Hamlin has balanced his return to the game with a growing role in promoting heart health awareness.

Still, questions lingered about his NFL future, especially with no deal in place during free agency.

Damar Hamlin re-signs with Bills

His 2025 season did not help that outlook, ending early after a pectoral injury placed him on injured reserve on Oct. 11.

Before going down, he played in five games, mostly in a depth role, registering one tackle. That followed a 2024 season where he earned a starting safety job.

There's now clarity though. The Buffalo Bills confirmed Friday morning that Hamlin will return on a one-year contract.

3️⃣is staying in Buffalo!

We have signed S Damar Hamlin to a one-year deal: https://t.co/USOa4Kvwqd pic.twitter.com/L4Zbur49Be
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) March 27, 2026

Bills bringing back Damar Hamlin makes roster sense

Bringing him back makes sense financially for Buffalo. Hamlin wasn't making big money on his last contract, and with barely any snaps this past season, his market value isn't going to jump.

He's been working in a reserve role for most of his career, but the public knows his name like he's been a full-time starter because of the life-threatening event everyone watched unfold. The film does not show enough to change how NFL teams gauge what he can do on Sundays.

Hamlin has suited up for 53 games over five seasons since Buffalo drafted him out of Pittsburgh in 2021. He's put together 185 total tackles during that time, broken up nine passes and made eight tackles for loss. He's also got three QB hits, two picks, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery on his résumé.

Buffalo's safety room now has Hamlin alongside Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone and Sam Franklin Jr. The Bills brought in Gardner-Johnson and Stone as free agents and locked up Franklin on a three-year contract back in February.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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