The Buffalo Bills were active in free agency on Wednesday. After agreeing to a one-year deal with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and bringing safety Damar Hamlin back, the team announced that it had agreed to a contract with Darrick Forrest.
Forrest, 25, will not go down as Buffalo’s splashiest signing, but it could be considered their best value. Sources tell Syracuse.com that Forrest’s one-year deal is worth $1.337 million.
The safety joins Buffalo after playing the past four seasons with the Washington Commanders. Forrest was originally the team’s fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati.
During his time with the team, Forrest appeared in 40 games with the Commanders. His best season came in 2022 when he appeared in 17 games and made 11 starts. That season, Forrest recorded 88 total tackles, four interceptions, nine passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Forrest was unable to build upon his momentum from 2022. He suffered a shoulder injury in October of 2023. In 2024, Forrest’s opportunities were limited due to a new coaching regime.
In Buffalo, Forrest will have the opportunity to compete for playing time with Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin.
Following his signing, here’s a look at what was said about Forrest.
NFL analyst Marcus Whitman: Best safety on roster
Whitman was very high on the signing. Between talent and fit, Whitman sees Forrest thriving in Buffalo.
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl: Gonna go crazy in Buffalo
Curl was teammates with Forrest in Washington from 2021-2023.
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso: Forrest has elite athleticism (RAS)
Buffalo loves athleticism and Forrest checks that box. Coming into the league, Forrest’s Relative Athletic Score was a 9.63 out of 10.