As expected, the Detroit Lions have tendered their lone remaining exclusive-rights free agent (ERFA) of the offseason, extending a one-year deal at the NFL’s minimum salary to kicker Jake Bates, a source confirmed to The Detroit News on Wednesday.
The offer, worth a little less than $1.2 million, essentially confirms Bates will be back with the Lions next season. Because Bates is an ERFA who has been tendered, he cannot negotiate with any other teams in free agency, making Detroit his only place to play in 2026. Earlier this offseason, the Lions agreed to terms with three other ERFAs, in running back Jacob Saylors, offensive lineman Michael Niese and cornerback Nick Whiteside.
ERFAs are players who enter free agency with less than three years of service time. Bates has two.
Bates has had a fairly strong first couple of seasons with the Lions, so tendering him always made the most sense. He’s made 84.1% of his field goals and 95.9% of his extra points since 2024. Of the seven field goals Bates missed in 2025, five came from at least 52 yards out, including one attempt against the Baltimore Ravens that was from 67 yards away right before halftime. Two of his misses (from 45 and 52 yards) were blocked.
For his career, Bates is 43-of-46 from within 49 yards, and he’s 27-of-27 from 39 yards or closer.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions tender ERFA contract to Jake Bates. Here’s what that means
Reporting by Richard Silva, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
