Damar Hamlin turned an everyday starter for the Payments once more in 2024, shifting again to the lineup after his harm rehab largely took him off the sector in 2023. Regardless of Hamlin’s rookie contract expiring, the inspirational determine is staying in Buffalo.
The Payments introduced they re-signed Hamlin to a one-year deal Wednesday morning. This can maintain an skilled participant within the fold alongside Taylor Rapp and second-rounder Cole Bishop.
Solely used on 17 defensive performs in 2023, Hamlin received a beginning security job final season — after the Payments disbanded their seven-year Micah Hyde–Jordan Poyer security partnership. Hamlin began all 14 video games he performed in 2024 and logged a 98 p.c snap share, which checked in past his utilization price from 2022. Hamlin, 27 on March 24, notched his first two profession interceptions final season.
Set to carry a spot in NFL historical past because of his restoration from the chest harm that prompted cardiac arrest in Cincinnati, Hamlin held an unsure place with the Payments after his comeback. The previous sixth-round choose entered the Payments’ 2024 coaching camp on the roster bubble, because the crew had drafted Bishop within the second spherical and signed Mike Edwards. Hamlin, nonetheless, beat out each to begin alongside Rapp. The Pitt alum made 89 tackles and broke up 5 passes final season.
Bishop figures to be a risk to Hamlin’s beginning place this 12 months, because the Payments selected the Utah product sixtieth general. Bishop performed on 34 p.c of Buffalo’s defensive snaps final season, beginning 4 video games. Professional Soccer Focus additionally ranked Hamlin eighty fifth amongst security regulars in 2024. The Payments even have versatile backup Cam Lewis rostered coming into free company. Rapp is signed for another season.
No matter Hamlin’s path again to a beginning position, his journey again from the near-death scene — one which prompted the primary canceled NFL recreation in many years and prompted the league to plot a contingency plan in case a three-loss Payments crew superior to the AFC Championship Sport that 12 months — will make him a revered determine in Buffalo. If nothing else, Hamlin, who began 13 video games rather than Hyde in 2022, brings loads of expertise as a possible depth participant within the occasion Bishop takes a step into the beginning lineup.
