Former Penn State football wide receiver KJ Hamler had one season left on his over $7 million rookie contract with the Denver Broncos when he got the boot in the 2023 offseason. Then, the Indianapolis Colts released him after downgrading him to the practice squad. Now after getting signed by the Buffalo Bills in Dec. 2023 and being an off-an-on player in 2024, Buffalo made its final decision to send the former Nittany Lion back out into the pool.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Twitter/X on Tuesday that hours before the 53-player deadline, Hamler was one of the Bills that didn't make the cut, was trimmed off the roster, and released.
Hard Knocks spoiler alert: Bills released veteran WR KJ Hamler. pic.twitter.com/gFaRwQJjK0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2025
The wide receiver played in 23 games so far in his NFL career, all with Denver, largely due to an injury plague he suffered throughout his first few pro seasons. He totaled 42 receptions for 620 career yards and three touchdowns — all three that were scored in his rookie season in 2020. In 2022 before the Broncos released him, Hamler had seven receptions for 165 yards.
Hamler had a shot at making the Buffalo, 53-man roster. He signed a reserve contract in January and had a decent show-out in the 2025 NFL Preseason. The wide receiver caught five passes and a touchdown. The 39-yard scoring reception happened on fourth down for the Bills against the New York Giants when Hamler was wide open with nothing but the end zone in sight.
“Nobody said this road would be easy,” Hamler said on Hard Knocks, according to ABC27. “As long as I am grinding and as long as I’m here, I always have a shot.”
Injuries defining the early parts of his pro career held him back for sure, but he has speed and versatility that NFL teams can work with. Buffalo's general manager Brandon Beane said on Hard Knocks that Hamler needs to set himself apart by showing the different roles he can step into. The former Nittany Lion's fate isn't set on needing another team to pick him up. Given Beane's statement, the Bills' practice squad is still a place he can land and hopefully work up from starting in 2025.
At Penn State, Hamler had a collegiate career total of 98 receptions for 1,658 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He also had 17 carries for 87 yards and an additional score on the ground. The Broncos selected him 46th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.