Bates converted one of two field-goal attempts and both PATs in Saturday's 17-13 preseason win over the Commanders.
Bates missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt near the end of the second quarter, but he later redeemed himself with a 37-yarder to extend the Lions' one-score lead late in the fourth quarter. The kicker signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the Lions in late March, tying him to the team for the 2026 season. For Bates to acquire a larger payday in 2027, he will likely need to mimic his 2024 rookie season. The 27-year-old converted 26 of 29 field goals and 64 of 67 PATs over 17 regular-season games in 2024 compared to 27 of 29 field goals and 54 of 56 PATs in 2025.