Buffalo Bills agree to contract extension with Damar Hamlin

Damar Hamlin has raised his game over the past couple of seasons, and the Bills are rewarding their inspirational defensive contributor. On Wednesday, Buffalo announced the two parties have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension.

The defensive back was a major contributor for the team in 2024. Hamlin totaled 89 tackles and two interceptions last season, the first two of his professional career. At 26-years old, he seems to be playing his best football, and he’ll remain in Buffalo to do so.

He’s built a unique connection with the city, after surviving a horrific ordeal that’s been highly publicized over the past few years. The fact that Hamlin has been able to carve out a sizable role on the team’s defense is something to behold, and he’s earned every bit of it.

Moving forward, he’ll hope to play a role in delivering the Bills their first Super Bowl title next season, after the team fell in the AFC title game in January. They’re close, but the franchise hasn’t been able to get over that hump. Maybe it’ll be their time during this coming season.

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Moreover, the Bills deal with Damar Hamlin continues the trend of the team taking care of one of their own after an impressive 2024. Buffalo also reached an agreement with defensive end Greg Rousseau on a monster contract extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

According to Schefter, the agreement is for four years, and it’ll reach $80 million. Additionally, the new contract will include $54 million guaranteed for the former first round pick, as he’s rewarded for his impressive play over his four-year NFL career.

Over the past four seasons, Rousseau has played in 57 regular season games for the Bills, and six postseason games. In the regular season, he’s amassed 166 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. He’s made 12 tackles and sacked the quarterback once in the playoffs.

His career high for sacks in a season is 8.0, and that came in 2022. Evidently, the Bills believe the 24-year-old hasn’t reached his peak yet, and they’re paying him for those prime years, which has become a custom among defensive ends in the NFL.

The monster extension is well deserved for Rousseau, and Buffalo is hoping his continued ascension helps them reach a new level in 2025. Time will tell, but the Bills will be a team to watch once again this coming season, as long as they keep hitting on their personnel moves, with the free agency period, and the 2025 NFL Draft looming.