The Detroit Lions are prioritizing their own players as they prepare for free agency, starting with kicker Jake Bates, who has been offered an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) tender. This tender provides Bates with a one-year contract at the minimum salary of $1,075,000. He now has the choice to either sign the contract or sit out the season. Bates' contract is eligible for an ERFA tender due to his two accrued seasons in the NFL, a rule that applies to players with fewer than three years of experience on expiring contracts. The Lions have already utilized this strategy with three other ERFAs, all of whom have signed their deals: OL Michael Niese, RB Jacob Saylors, and CB Nick Whiteside.
Despite a slight dip in performance, Bates remains a valuable asset. In the 2025 season, he struggled with field goal accuracy, dropping from 89.7% in his first year to 79.4%. However, it's worth noting that five of his seven misses were from 50+ yards, and he maintained a perfect record of 14-of-14 from 39 yards or shorter. Additionally, Bates improved his extra point accuracy from 95.5% to 96.4%. He also demonstrated proficiency in the new NFL kickoff rule, which demands higher precision from kickers.
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp expressed his confidence in Bates, despite some setbacks. Fipp stated that Bates is a highly skilled player who would be sought after by numerous teams if he were available. The Lions' decision to tender Bates suggests they believe he can improve and contribute to the team's success. The question remains whether the Lions will seek additional competition for Bates during the offseason, but Fipp's comments indicate a strong belief in Bates' abilities.
