Damar Hamlin was a free agent, and coming off the best season of his NFL career.
A job wasn’t guaranteed for him with the Buffalo Bills, who had optimism that second-year safety Cole Bishop could step in as a starter this season.
There was very real reason for Hamlin to pursue a gig with a new NFL team for the first time.
Instead, Hamlin signed a one-year, $2 million contract to return to Buffalo.
That decision is looming extra large right now.
The Bills are missing both Bishop, the talented youngster out of Utah, and Taylor Rapp, the veteran ballhawk. They’re both injured heading into the preseason opener Saturday against the Giants.
That leaves Hamlin as the veteran leader of the defensive backfield.
MORE: Shedeur Sanders shows his NFL Draft slide might’ve been a mistake
Hamlin, of course, is an inspirational story. Everyone knows where they were when he collapsed on the field against the Bengals a couple seasons ago.
He’s also coming off his best NFL season. He started all 14 games he played in and had 89 tackles and two interceptions.
The analytics aren’t the biggest fan of Hamlin, but he did what the Bills asked of him.
MORE: Morice Norris’ scary injury brings improbable football journey into the spotlight
If everyone is healthy, his role is probably lesser this season. But right now that’s not the case, and Hamlin has a chance to be a leader once again.
He’s certainly a fan favorite. His interceptions are celebrated as loud as anything by Bills Mafia.
Hamlin’s energy and story are a great thing to still have in Buffalo.
And now with injury woes biting the Bills left and right, it’s an extra good thing Hamlin chose to sign his contract back with Buffalo this offseason.
MORE NFL NEWS:
