Detroit re-signed Bates on Wednesday.

EDGE 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).

The Lions placed an exclusive rights free-agent tender on Bates on Wednesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Bates wasn't nearly as effective in 2025 as he was as a 2024 rookie, he still converted 27 of 34 field-goal attempts and a league-high 54 PATs on 56 tries. Through two seasons, Bates has made 84 percent of his field-goal tries and 96 percent of his extra points. He figures to be busy again next season in Detroit's high-powered offense.

Bates went 27-for-34 on field-goal attempts and made 54 of 56 PATs over 17 games during the regular season.

EDGE Analysis

Bates took step back in his second season in Detroit from a field-goal percentage standpoint, converting 79 percent of his tries after making 90 percent in his rookie campaign. Most notably, the kicker struggled from 50-plus yards, going 4-for-9 on attempts from that range. Bates will enter the offseason as a free agent, but it'd be a surprise if the Lions weren't interested in re-signing him.

Bates made his only field-goal attempt and his only extra-point try in Thursday's Christmas Day loss to Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Minnesota's defense mostly stymied Detroit's offense, capping Bates' kicking opportunities. He did make a 48-yard field goal with under five minutes remaining in the game to end with a tolerable fantasy score. Bates is 23-for-29 on FG attempts and 53-for-55 on PATs on the season.

Bates made his lone field-goal attempt and all three PATs in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Bates' lone field goal was good from 36 yards. The second-year kicker has struggled a bit this season, making just 79 percent of his field-goal attempts after converting 90 percent as a rookie. However, he's remained strong in the PAT department, with NFL-highs in extra-point attempts (54) and conversions (52) through 15 contests. Bates will again be kicking in a dome this upcoming Thursday against the Vikings in Minnesota.

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.

EDGE Analysis

The kicker missed a 43-yard attempt wide left in the first quarter that would have opened the scoring. Bates has now missed more field goals, five, in 2025, than he did in the entire 2024 regular season (three), and he's done so in four fewer games and on five fewer attempts (29 to 24).

Bates went 3-of-4 on field-goal attempts and 5-for-5 on extra-point tries in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.

EDGE Analysis

The kicker had a 52-yard field-goal try blocked in the third quarter, but other than that, he made the most of his opportunities, connecting on field goals from 38, 47 and 46 yards, respectively. Bates is now 19-of-24 on field-goal tries and 45-of-47 on extra-point attempts for the year, with all five field-goal misses coming from 40 yards or longer. The second-year pro is often limited in his field-goal opportunities by his coach's desire to go for it, but on this night, he got more than usual.

Bates made all three of his point-after tries and converted his sole field goal of the day as the Lions fell to the Packers 31-24 Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Bates converted his only field goal, a 31-yarder late in the fourth quarter that cut the game to a one-score lead. He was also perfect on the extra point for all three touchdown drives. Bates moves to 15-for-19 on field goals and 37-for-39 on extra points through 11 games this season.

Bates made both of his field-goal attempts and went 4-for-4 on extra-point tries during the Lions' 34-27 overtime win over the Giants on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Both of Bates' field goals came at the end of each half, with his 59-yarder at the end of the fourth quarter sending Sunday's game to overtime with the score at 27-27. That 59-yard field goal matched Bates' career high, and the second-year kicker is now 5-for-8 on field-goal tries from 50-plus yards this season. Across four games since the Lions' Week 8 bye, Bates has gone 7-for-8 on field-goal attempts and 10-for-12 on extra-point tries.

Bates made his only field-goal try and missed his only PAT in Sunday night's 16-9 loss to the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Bates had a mixed bag of a performance in Week 11. He missed an extra-point attempt for the second week in a row, albeit from 48 yards, after wide receiver Jameson Williams was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct following a touchdown in the second quarter. The kicker was able to connect on a 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter though, notching his first make from 50-plus yards since Week 7. Bates has now gone 13-for-17 on field-goal attempts, including 3-for-6 from 50-plus yards, while making 33 of 35 extra-point tries over 10 games this year.