The Detroit Lions announced on Wednesday that kicker Jake Bates has officially re-signed.
This doesn’t really qualify as breaking news for Bates. As reported a few weeks ago, the Lions placed an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) tender on Bates before the start of free agency. That left Bates with two options: sign the tender or sit out the entire 2026 season. Clearly, he has chosen to sign the tender and he’s now officially under contract for the 2026 season on a one-year, veteran-minimum deal ($1.075 million for Bates).
Here’s how an exclusive rights free agent tender works. If a player is on an expiring contract, but has fewer than three accrued seasons in the NFL, his original team has the opportunity to place an ERFA tender on that player with no negotiations necessary. That veteran-minimum deal can either be signed by the player or they can choose to sit out the season.
Bates was signed by the Lions in 2024 to a two-year, $1.98 million deal. He proceeded to soundly outplay that contract in 2024 by making 26-of-29 field goals in his first year, while converting six-of-eight from 50 yards or longer. Though he took a step back in 2025—making just 27-of-34 field goals—special teams coordinator Dave Fipp consistently offered his faith in Bates throughout last season. Bates also showed improvement in his extra point accuracy (54-of-56), was reliable in his kickoff placement under the new rules, and remains perfect in clutch situations.
Unfortunately for Bates, he’ll have to wait until next year for a big payday. But if he continues to play at a relatively high level, his career could still last another decade and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to cash in.
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