Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin had a dramatic NFL comeback, returning after suffering cardiac arrest on the field and working his way back into the starting lineup.
But the veteran safety could face a battle to hold that job this summer, with the Bills adding some new talent that could challenge his job on the field. Ralph Ventre of SI.com predicted that the safety position could be one of the most up-for-grabs this summer, with the Bills bringing in several players who will be vying for one open place one the depth chart.
Three Safeties Fighting for One Job
Ventre noted that Taylor Rapp is locked into a starting job for the Bills, leaving Hamlin competing with second-year safety Cole Bishop and free agency pickup Darrick Forrest for the remaining starting job.
“The Bills, who played much of the 2024 season with only three true safeties on the 53-man roster, made only one notable addition to the room. They signed former Washington Commanders starter Darrick Forrest, who seemingly fell out of favor with the team that drafted him after returning from a 2023 season-ending shoulder injury,” Ventre wrote.
Ventre added that Bishop could pose a big challenge to Hamlin, even though he fell a bit short of expectations during his rookie season with the Bills.
“It appears as if 2024 second-round draft pick Cole Bishop is the early favorite simply due to his pedigree although the Bills would likely be comfortable if they had to deploy Hamlin again,” Ventre wrote. “I wouldn’t expect an All-Pro selection out of the group, but there seem to be multiple serviceable options.”
Damar Hamlin Returned to the Bills
Hamlin has endured an up-and-down tenure with the Bills. He was thrust into the starting lineup his rookie season after a neck injury to All-Pro Micah Hyde, starting 13 games that season and making 91 total tackles before suffering cardiac arrest.
Hamlin had a slow return to the field, appearing in only five games in 2023 before coming back in full last season. Hamlin started 14 games last season, making 89 total tackles and the first two interceptions of his career.
Many insiders believed Hamlin would leave the team at the conclusion of his rookie contract, but he returned to the team on a one-year contract.
“It feels amazing to be back,” Hamlin said, via the team’s official website. “This is home. This is all I know as a pro. I’m connected to this place on a totally different level, so this is the place I want to be. This is where I would want to spend my whole career if I can.”
Hamlin added that he felt he made some big improvements in 2024, moving beyond he physical and mental demands of suffering cardiac arrest.
“Last year I feel like I was getting the training wheels off of myself in a way,” Hamlin said. “Just coming back from literally dying on the field to playing again in a significant role, a starting role, playing a full season again for the first time, just feeling myself out…I feel like I had a lot of success on the field. So to see where I can take it from knowing that’s where I was within myself..and develop myself into what I want to become this upcoming year, I’m excited for that journey.”
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