As the Buffalo Bills gear up for what could be a promising playoff run, there’s another storyline quietly brewing beneath the surface - one that could mark the end of a significant chapter in the team’s recent history. Safety Damar Hamlin, a name etched into the hearts of Bills fans for reasons that go far beyond football, may be nearing his final days in a Buffalo uniform.
Hamlin’s 2025 season was cut short by a pectoral injury that landed him on injured reserve back in Week 6. Though he’s been eligible to return since Week 11, the team has yet to open his 21-day practice window.
Head coach Sean McDermott recently acknowledged the possibility of a return but admitted he hadn’t received a recent update from the training staff. With each passing week, the odds of Hamlin suiting up again this season become slimmer.
But it’s not just the injury that’s casting doubt over Hamlin’s future in Buffalo - it’s the business side of the NFL. Hamlin is playing on a one-year, $2 million deal that expires at the end of the season.
And through five games, his stat line includes just one tackle. It’s not the kind of production that typically earns a new contract, especially when the depth chart is already crowded.
The Bills’ safety room has seen some reshuffling this year. Jordan Poyer, the veteran leader, has continued to play a major role in the secondary.
Rookie Cole Bishop has emerged as a strong presence, showing the kind of range and instincts that could make him a long-term piece. The team also brought in Darnell Savage just a couple of weeks ago, adding another layer of competition.
Meanwhile, Taylor Rapp - like Hamlin - is on IR with a knee injury, and his status for a return this season remains uncertain.
Even if Savage doesn’t stick around and Poyer decides to retire, it’s clear that Buffalo has options at safety. And if Hamlin were to re-sign, he’d likely be looking at a backup role behind younger, ascending players like Bishop and Rapp. At 28 next season, and after starting 14 games in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising if Hamlin looks elsewhere for a chance to carve out a starting role and re-establish himself as a defensive cornerstone.
Of course, Hamlin’s story is about more than depth charts and contract years. His name will forever be linked to that harrowing night in January 2023, when he suffered cardiac arrest on the field against the Bengals - and the inspiring road back that followed.
His return to football was nothing short of remarkable, a testament to his resilience and determination. Off the field, his charity work and community impact have made him one of the most respected figures in the league, and especially in Buffalo.
But in the NFL, even the most inspiring stories eventually run into the hard realities of roster management. Hamlin has shown, in his 27 career starts, that he can contribute when healthy.
He’s a smart, physical safety who can step up when called upon. The question now is whether that next opportunity will come in Buffalo - or if it’s time for a new chapter elsewhere.
As the Bills chase postseason glory, fans may also be quietly preparing to say goodbye to one of the most beloved players in recent memory. And while his next destination remains unknown, one thing is certain: wherever Hamlin goes next, he’ll carry with him a legacy that transcends the game.