The Bills have agreed to terms with S Damar Hamlin on a one-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. Hamlin was one of Buffalo's full-time starters at safety, starting 14 games in 2024. He was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.
Hamlin earned a starting role on Buffalo's defense this year and proved to be an impact player. He finished third on the team in total tackles (89) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (2). Hamlin's first career interception came on Monday Night Football in Week 3 against the Jaguars.
He also forced a huge fumble on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson that led to a Bills touchdown in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
The safety defeated the odds this season, earning a full-time starting role less than two years after a life-changing event. Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest episode during Buffalo's Week 17 game against the Bengals on January 2, 2023. After being released from the hospital within days, the safety spent the entire offseason getting back into football shape.
For Hamlin, the 2023 season was all about firsts – getting cleared for his first practice, going through a padded practice, playing in his first game, tackling someone for the first time again and more. After playing in five games during the 2023 season, Hamlin geared up to be a difference maker in 2024.
