Damar Hamlin signs one-year contract with Buffalo Bills for 2024 season, securing return to roster after recovery journey

Safety Damar Hamlin is returning to the Buffalo Bills for a sixth season after signing a one-year contract. The 28-year-old has been an inspiration for perseverance following his remarkable comeback after a near-death experience.

Hamlin was a free agent after his previous one-year contract expired. He is staying in Buffalo where he has served as an inspiration.

Hamlin has shown no signs of a setback since he went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati in January 2023.

Though he was eased back into action, playing five games the following season, Hamlin had a career-high 14 starts in 2024. He was relegated to a backup role last season. He was limited to just five games after landing on injured reserve because of a pectoral injury sustained in practice.

Hamlin is expected to compete for a backup spot on a team and defense in transition. Jim Leonhard takes over as coordinator under new coach Joe Brady. Brady was promoted in January after Sean McDermott was fired.

The Bills have since signed free-agent safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone. They are anticipated to compete for the starting job opposite Cole Bishop.

Buffalo selected Hamlin in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pittsburgh. He has two interceptions in 53 career games. This includes 27 starts.