The Buffalo Bills have significantly strengthened their secondary this offseason, raising questions about the future of several incumbents on the roster. Among those potentially impacted is safety Damar Hamlin, who could find himself on the outside looking in as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.
With fresh talent added across the safety group, Buffalo appears to be prioritizing youth, versatility, and proven production.
Buffalo made several notable additions to bolster depth and competition at the safety spots. The team brought in veterans CJ Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, along with Dee Alford, while also selecting Jalen Kilgore in the draft. These moves have created what many view as one of the more competitive position rooms on the team heading into training camp.
Bills analyst Fernando Schmude of SBNation believes the depth is now too strong for Hamlin to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. He expects the team to part ways with the veteran safety in the coming weeks.
“Bishop enters 2026 on the cusp of becoming one of the best up-and-coming safeties in the game,” Schmude wrote. “I think he’s ready to prove it, especially under the tutelage of Jim Leonhard, a former safety himself. Gardner-Johnson is the experienced vet of this group — vocal, physical, capable of operating in any coverage shell, and versatile to play on both safety spots and as the nickel CB if needed. Together, they can form a very strong starting safety duo for Buffalo.”
Schmude continued his assessment of the revamped unit, highlighting several young and veteran pieces that now populate the depth chart. He sees strong potential in the group as a whole and identified specific cuts he anticipates.
“Kilgore might become the biggest steal of this draft. Athletic and versatile, don’t be surprised if he becomes Cole Bishop’s long-term partner at the position, maybe even sooner than expected. Sam Franklin re-signed on a three-year deal this offseason, and that tells you exactly how this coaching staff values him. He’s a special teams core player, though — not a piece who can be counted on defense. Stone, on the other hand, rounds out the room as an experienced option who can create turnovers at will. Five safeties might look aggressive, but the talent on this group is deep enough to justify it. Cuts: Damar Hamlin, Wande Owens.”
Despite the crowded safety room, Hamlin remains under contract for the time being. Buffalo signed him to a one-year, $1.215 million extension earlier this offseason. However, with just $25,000 guaranteed, the deal carries very little dead money, giving the front office flexibility to move on without major financial consequences.
Hamlin is coming off a challenging 2025 season that was derailed by injury. A pectoral issue placed him on injured reserve on October 11, limiting him to just five games. He recorded only one tackle during his brief time on the field last year.
Prior to the injury-plagued campaign, Hamlin had shown solid starter-level production. In 2024, he appeared in a full slate of games and posted 89 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. That performance came after he had worked his way into the starting lineup following his selection in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Bills have taken a deliberate approach to rebuilding their defense this offseason. General Manager Brandon Beane targeted the safety position specifically, viewing Gardner-Johnson as a strong veteran mentor who could help accelerate the development of promising young talents like Cole Bishop. Bishop himself is viewed as one of the more exciting young safeties league-wide and is expected to take on a larger role.
With these changes in place, the organization is optimistic that the refreshed defensive unit can help the team push past previous postseason shortcomings. A more versatile and talented secondary could prove pivotal as Buffalo chases deeper playoff runs in 2026.
Should the Bills ultimately decide to release Hamlin, there remains a possibility he could rejoin the organization on the practice squad. His familiarity with the scheme and prior contributions make him a logical candidate for depth purposes if he clears waivers.
Overall, the situation underscores how quickly roster dynamics can shift in the NFL. Even players with notable past contributions can face uncertainty when a team aggressively upgrades a position group.
For Hamlin, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the next chapter of his professional career.
