Lions re‑sign Bates
Detroit re‑signed kicker Jake Bates this week after an injury‑marred 2025; medical analysis in the breakouts suggests he’s on track for a full return (sports.yahoo.com). The move locks in a veteran leg the Lions view as pivotal for their 2026 special‑teams plans (sports.yahoo.com).
The Lions completed Bates’ signing on March 25, 2026, when he signed the exclusive‑rights free agent tender that keeps him on a one‑year deal through the 2026 season. (detroitnews.com) Bates finished the 2025 regular season 27‑for‑34 on field goals (79.4%), with a long of 59 yards and 135 total points scored. (espn.com) The injury that clouded part of Bates’ 2025 campaign occurred on the kickoff in Week 14 at Dallas (Dec. 4, 2025), when he took a heavy hit and was evaluated for a concussion before returning to finish the game. (nfl.com) Recent team medical writeups and free‑agency injury analyses list Bates as progressing through return‑to‑play benchmarks and trending toward full clearance in time for offseason work and training camp. (sports.yahoo.com) Detroit’s official transactions and coaching staff listings show Bates as the only kicker under contract with the team as of March 25, 2026, with special teams coordinator Dave Fipp retained on the staff to oversee the unit. (detroitlions.com) The ERFA process that produced Bates’ contract prevents him from negotiating with other clubs and carries a league‑minimum, non‑guaranteed one‑year salary structure for players with fewer than three accrued seasons. (thelistwire.usatoday.com)
