The Buffalo Bills have already signed veteran safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone to shore up their safety room this offseason, and then, on Friday, the Bills brought back a familiar face to serve as valuable depth at the position.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by discussing the news that Damar Hamlin is returning to the team on a one-year deal.

Damar Hamlin back on one-year deal

Damar Hamlin has been a fan-favorite and a great underdog story ever since he worked his way back onto the field following a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2022 NFL season.

Hamlin’s fate with the 2026 Bills was uncertain, however, as he was a free agent and the Bills had already brought in veterans C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone to surround up-and-coming starter Cole Bishop in the safety room.

But Hamlin, who turned 28 on Tuesday, is staying with the Bills on a one-year contract, returning for a sixth season with Buffalo. The signing of Hamlin gives the Bills a deep and experienced quartet of safeties at the back of their defense.

Hamlin has appeared in 53 career regular-season games (27 starts) and seven career playoff games (three starts) with two career interceptions, nine pass breakups, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. During the 2024 season, Hamlin started 14 games and recorded his first three takeaways, and in Buffalo’s AFC Divisional Round home win over the Baltimore Ravens, Hamlin delivered a crucial strip-sack of Lamar Jackson that served as a key turning point in the victory.

Last season, Hamlin served as a backup to Bishop and Taylor Rapp and appeared in only five games because of a pectoral injury.

As of now, it appears Bishop and Gardner-Johnson will likely serve as the two starting safeties, with Stone and Hamlin serving as valuable depth pieces.

Even more Bills news

Speculating on what it would take the Bills to extend starting right guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Plus, breaking down Buffalo’s chances of trading for edge rusher Myles Garrett; and the Pro Football Hall of Fame is honoring three former Bills during the annual Awards of Excellence program.

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The Buffalo Bills announced today that they are bringing back safety Damar Hamlin on a one-year contract.

Now, this news will likely cause Bills fans to roll their eyes but Hamlin has provided worth for the team since being drafted in 2021 out of Pittsburgh. Hamlin brings starting experience to the safety position and could provide depth, even if C.J. Gardner Johnson will be the starting safety opposite of Cole Bishop.

What Hamlin also does provide is key value as a special teamer. Fans will just have to block out that miserable fake punt attempt by Hamlin against the Kansas City Chiefs a couple of years ago in the postseason.

The deal is not a needle-mover by any means, but we are at the point in free agency where the team is just filling out roster spots before the draft comes. Hamlin is also a pillar in the Buffalo community through his Chasing M’s Foundation which is dedicated to advancing health equity and saving lives through education, access, and action. Not to mention, everything that Hamlin has been doing with the American Heart Association after suffering cardiac arrest in that Monday Night game against the Cincinnati Bengals a couple years ago.

Buffalo Bills roster at safety

The Bills have Cole Bishop inked in as a starter with S.J. Gardner-Johnson likely the other starting safety. Hamlin would be in that next wave with signing Geno Stone and second-year man Jordan Hancock and depth piece Wande Owens. Sam Franklin is listed as a safety but is probably mostly here for special teams.