2025 Kicking Stats
FGM
27
FGA
34
FG%
0.8
50+
4
XP
54
2026 Projections
Signed a one-year contract with the Lions in March of 2026.
Officially re-signs with Lions
Detroit re-signed Bates on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Bates has either inked an new contract with the Lions or officially signed the exclusive rights free-agent tender extended to him by the team in early March. In any case, he's positioned to stick with Detroit for the 2026 campaign. Through two seasons in the NFL, Bates has converted 53 of 63 field-goal attempts (84.1 percent) and 118 of 123 extra-point tries (95.9 percent).
Bates has either inked an new contract with the Lions or officially signed the exclusive rights free-agent tender extended to him by the team in early March. In any case, he's positioned to stick with Detroit for the 2026 campaign. Through two seasons in the NFL, Bates has converted 53 of 63 field-goal attempts (84.1 percent) and 118 of 123 extra-point tries (95.9 percent).
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
Fantasy Stats
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
2025 NFL Game Log
2025
2024
2025 NFL Game Log
Loading Game Log...
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Bates went undrafted out of Arkansas in 2023 and was then waived by the Texans in mid-August. The Lions signed him in June 2024 as possible competition for Michael Badgley, who subsequently suffered a season-ending hamstring injury during training camp. Bates now has a shot at being Detroit's kicker come Week 1, but the team almost certainly will bring in other competition this summer.
More Fantasy News
Receives ERFA tender
The Lions placed an exclusive rights free-agent tender on Bates on Wednesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Converts 27 FGAs in second season
Bates went 27-for-34 on field-goal attempts and made 54 of 56 PATs over 17 games during the 2025 regular season.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Successful on lone FG try Week 17
Bates made his only field-goal attempt and his only extra-point try in Thursday's Christmas Day loss to Minnesota.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Makes all four kicks in loss
Bates made his lone field-goal attempt and all three PATs in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Misses field goal in loss
Bates went 2-of-3 on field-goal tries and 4-of-4 on extra-point attempts in Sunday's 41-34 loss to the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Atop depth chart after Badgley hurt
Bates is the only healthy kicker remaining for the Lions, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Michael Badgley suffered a season-ending hamstring injury during Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Bates had been slated to compete with Badgley to be Detroit's kicker in 2024, but Badgley will miss the entire campaign, leaving Bates as the favorite to start by default. After showing off his big leg by making six field goals of 50-plus yards in the UFL, Bates saw his chances of securing a spot on Detroit's roster get a boost due to Badgley's injury, though the Lions are expected to bring in another kicker to compete with Bates. Per Field Yates of ESPN, the Lions worked out kickers Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havrisik, Matthew McCrane and Andre Szmyt on Friday.
Bates had been slated to compete with Badgley to be Detroit's kicker in 2024, but Badgley will miss the entire campaign, leaving Bates as the favorite to start by default. After showing off his big leg by making six field goals of 50-plus yards in the UFL, Bates saw his chances of securing a spot on Detroit's roster get a boost due to Badgley's injury, though the Lions are expected to bring in another kicker to compete with Bates. Per Field Yates of ESPN, the Lions worked out kickers Matt Ammendola, Lucas Havrisik, Matthew McCrane and Andre Szmyt on Friday.