Kicker Jake Bates is officially back for the Detroit Lions.
The team announced on social media Wednesday afternoon that Bates signed his 2026 contract.
In two seasons with the Lions, Bates has become a top kicker. He has displayed tremendous leg power and above average accuracy.
Over the past two seasons, he has led the NFL in extra-points made.
His contract value was not included in the team’s announcement Wednesday. But Bates’s 2026 contract was previously reported to be worth $1.075 million.
Lions Kicker Jake Bates Signs ERFA Tender
Bates entered this offseason as an exclusive-rights free agent. Players who don’t have contracts and under three years of service time are that type of free agent (ERFAs).
Without a contract beyond 2025, Bates fit that description. His first season in the NFL was 2024.
The Detroit Free Press’s Dave Birkett reported on March 4 the Lions placed the ERFA tender on Bates. That left Bates few options outside of signing his deal to play one more season for Detroit.
That’s officially what the kicker elected to do Wednesday.
With Bates re-signed, the Lions don’t have any remaining questions at speciality positions for 2026.
Now in addition to Bates, punter Jack Fox and long snapper Hogan Hatten are under contract for next season. Fox is entering the final season of his 4-year, $14.065 million deal.
Hatten possesses the same base salary ($1.075 million) as Bates for 2026.
While the Lions have certainty at key positions on special teams this year, the team doesn’t have a kicker, punter or long snapper signed after 2026. Bates and Hatten will become restricted free agents next season. Fox will be an unrestricted free agent.
As a restricted free agent, Bates will have an easier time trying to play for a new team in 2027. But the Lions will still possess the right to match any offer the kicker might receive in free agency.
Bates’s Early Career Success With Lions
The decision the Lions faced with bringing back Bates was a rather easy one. For a little north of $1 million in 2026, Detroit will have one of the fastest rising place-kickers in the league.
As a rookie in 2024, Bates made 89.7% of his field goals. That mark included 6 of 8 attempts from 50 yards or further.
Bates also hit on 64 of 67 extra points in 2024.
Last season, Bates saw his kicking average drop to 79.4%. A lot of the issues he experienced, though, were with accuracy from beyond 50 yards.
Bates made 23 of 25 attempts from 49 yards or closer last season.
With a $1.075 million salary, Bates will be one of the cheapest kickers around the league next season. According to Spotrac, only the Cleveland Browns’ Andre Szmyt and Los Angeles Rams‘ Harrison Mevis will have a lower base salary.
If Bates has another stellar season, particularly if it’s closer to his 2024 numbers, the kicker could be in line for a pretty big payday down the road. It might not come in 2027, though, because, again, he will be a restricted free agent.
Bates spent his college career at Texas State and Arkansas. The Lions kicker turned 27 years old on March 3.
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