Should the Buffalo Bills Keep Tyler Bass or Matt Prater at Kicker?

The Bills have a problem, conundrum, issue, conflict… pick an adjective… at kicker. 

It was a given, it seemed, that Tyler Bass would be the Bills’ kicker once again this season. He had a lot of heat for a missed field goal against Kansas City in the playoffs the year before. It was a shaky year at best overall, and Bass was on the hot seat going into the 2024-25 season. Many questioned his ability in the clutch. 

He responded, though.

Bass was clutch, in particular, hitting this 61-yard game-winning field goal against Miami. 

WATCH THE KICK ON YOUTUBE CLICK HERE

The funny thing is how perception becomes reality even if it's not. Bass had literally an identical season to the one prior, where everyone thought he struggled a bit. In 2023, he went 24-29 for 82.8%. He posted the EXACT same numbers in 2024. For his career, which is 5 seasons, Bass has hit 84.5% of his field goals. That’s 27th all-time among all NFL kickers.

That’s very good, so why do the Bills have a kicker issue?

Meet Matt Prater. 

The Bills' Issue at Kicker

Bass entered the year dealing with an injury that has him sidelined for an uncertain amount of time. So, the Bills signed the oldest player to ever suit up for them, 41-year-old Matt Prater, to replace Bass as he recovers. He took a red eye into Buffalo days before their season opener against Baltimore, where he was clutch in hitting the game-winner as time expired for the Bills. 

WATCH THE KICK ON YOUTUBE CLICK HERE

Prater is 37th all-time in Field Goal percentage at 83.7%. He’s also played 19 seasons and is the NFL’s all-time leader in field goals of 50+ yards. He’s also been clutch in the playoffs for teams like the Denver Broncos. 

In Baltimore, Prater was 3 for 3. Against the New York Jets, Prater was once again 3 for 3, including a 52-yarder, adding to his all-time 50+ record. He’s on a hot streak, while Tyler Bass remains in recovery. Prater was deemed the kicker "for the foreseeable future" a few days ago by head coach Sean McDermott as Bass remains on IR.  It would be easy for fans to say stick with Prater, but it’s not that easy. 

Contracts

Tyler Bass is in the middle of a 4-year, up to $21 contract. There’s a dead cap hit of just over $6 million if the Bills cut him. That’s a lot of money to eat for a kicker, let alone any player. Also, he’s 28 years old and has a long future ahead of him still. 

Conversely, Prater could be in his final season. He costs the Bills under a million dollars on the cap, but takes up a roster spot. There is no cap penalty for releasing him, and if they did and he cleared waivers, the Bills could bring him to the practice squad. This is making a lot of assumptions, though. 

Might the Bills shelve Bass for the entire season? Doubtful as his injury point is considered season-ending at this point. 

Could they trade him? They would get very little in return because ultimately it’s a cap dump move, but perhaps some team around the league covets him. That’s what Bills General Manager Brandon Beane would have to hope for.

This is all under the assumption they would want to keep Prater over Bass, though. The reality is that Bass has been a good kicker overall. He can make every kick and has been clutch before. The fact that he was able to bounce back after the miss in Kansas City shows INCREDIBLE toughness and fortitude. Some kickers would never be the same after that, but not Tyler. 

What Should the Bills Do at Kicker?

This is my opinion: IF Bass is 100% healthy and looking good, you cut Prater for all the reasons I just listed: talent, cap, toughness, and age. You hope to bring Prater back to the practice squad. This is not dismissing Prater’s talent. He’s an all-time NFL kicker, but there’s also a reason he was a free agent. Father time catches us all. Let’s enjoy the Prater ride, though, and if Bass’ injury doesn’t get better, the Bills are in a good place.