While it’s not going to happen this year, it’s not hard to imagine a future in which Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton walks away from a season with an NFL Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
And while that’s not going to happen this year, Hamilton still balled out of his mind and he’s starting to reap the benefits.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell picked Hamilton, perhaps the NFL’s most versatile defensive player, as one of the 2 safeties on his NFL All-Pro Team alongside Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James.
“Hamilton’s versatility has been essential for the Ravens,” Barnwell wrote. “Last year, the Ravens salvaged what had been a frustrating defense by moving Hamilton into a deep-lying role, and they fielded one of the best defenses in the NFL from that point forward. This year? With the defense struggling to start the season, coordinator Zach Orr moved Hamilton back into the box, where he has had a James-like impact around the line of scrimmage. You’re not really supposed to be able to play both of those roles at an All-Pro level. Hamilton does.”
The Ravens, 8-8 overall, are facing a Winner-Take-All road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 with the winner grabbing the AFC North Division title and the final spot in the AFC Playoffs.
Hamilton Struck it Rich With New Contract
Hamilton and the Ravens agreed to a massive 4-year, $100.4 million contract extension on August 27 that makes him the highest paid safety in NFL history and keeps the 2-time NFL All-Pro with the team through 2029.
The deal included another record setting number — $82 million in guaranteed money.
“All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and the Baltimore Ravens reached agreement today on a four-year, $100.4 million extension, the largest for a safety in NFL history,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on August 27. “The deal … includes $82 million guaranteed — which surpasses the previous record of $45M for a Safety.”
Hamilton, who is only 24 years old, is in the final season of the 4-year, $16.25 million contract he signed with the Ravens after they selected him in the first round (No. 14 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.
NFL Elite Hold Hamilton in High Regard
Hamilton was ranked the No. 1 safety in the NFL in ESPN’s 2025 preseason position rankings as voted on by NFL executives, coaches and scouts. He’s earned NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors each of the last 2 seasons.
At Notre Dame, he was a 3-time All-American in just 3 seasons of college football.
“All-around best player: Size instincts, production, blitz ability,” one NFL personnel director told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“KYLE HAMILTON IS ON A LEGENDARY RUN,” ML Football wrote on its official X account. “Engaged to his high school sweetheart in France … Signed the largest contract ever for a safety: 100+ million dollars … All-Pro … Pro Bowler … Kyle is only 24 years old.”
Got engaged and became the highest paid safety in the NFL,” The Ravens Realm wrote on its official X account. “What an offseason for Kyle Hamilton.”
In 4 NFL seasons, Hamilton is already a 3-time Pro Bowler, with his third consecutive selection in 2025. He’s also already a 2-time NFL All-Pro — each of the last 2 seasons — and seems like a lock for a third selection this season.
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