The Buffalo Bills are expected to undergo some changes in their secondary under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and it could leave one fan-favorite player on the wrong side of the roster bubble.
Reporter Nick Wojton of USA Today’s Bills Wire offered his early prediction of the team’s final 53-man roster, suggesting the team won’t have room for safety Damar Hamlin. Though Hamlin has occupied a starting role at times and is a regular on special teams, Wojton suggested that his lack of versatility in the secondary could be his downfall this summer.
End of the Line for Damar Hamlin?
Wojton predicted that newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson will slide into a starting role alongside last year’s incumbent starter, Cole Bishop. Wojton predicted a fairly deep safety room this year, with the Bills keeping four others — Jordan Hancock, Geno Stone, Sam Franklin Jr. and Jalon Kilgore.
With the departure of nickel cornerback Taron Johnson this offseason, Wojton suggested the Bills could use some of their safety depth to fill this role.
“The real versatility hits hard at safety. The Bills have multiple options that can play nickel cornerback,” Wojton wrote.
Hamlin had already seen his role on defense dwindling last season before suffering a season-ending injury. The veteran safety appeared in five games, making just one total tackle and playing 12 total snaps on defense, with 49 on special teams.
Leonhard has promised to take a more aggressive approach as defensive coordinator, especially in generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. It’s not yet clear how the secondary will shake out, but the Bills already parted ways with a number of veterans including starting safety Taylor Rapp.
Damar Hamlin Returned to Bills on One-Year Contract
Many expected the Bills to part ways with Hamlin last season after the conclusion of his rookie contract, but the team brought him back on a one-year deal, then re-upped him to return for 2026.
Speaking to reporters after re-signing last year, Hamlin said he was happy to return to Buffalo.
âIt feels amazing to be back,â Hamlin said last year, via the teamâs official website. âThis is home. This is all I know as a pro. Iâm 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.â
Hamlin said he was pleased with his progress and he recovered physically and mentally after suffering cardiac arrest on the field during a 2022 game.
âLast year I feel like I was getting the training wheels off of myself in a way,â Hamlin said. âJust 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 outâ¦I feel like I had a lot of success on the field. So to see where I can take it from knowing thatâs where I was within myself..and develop myself into what I want to become this upcoming year, Iâm excited for that journey.â
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