The season opener always brings nerves, but Sunday night has even more on the line for the Buffalo Bills. Opening the 2025 campaign against the Baltimore Ravens, the team faces a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round. There’s extra tension in the air, though, as longtime kicker Tyler Bass won’t be suiting up for the first time since joining Buffalo.
Instead, the Bills are handing the kicking duties to a veteran with one of the most storied legs in the league. The pressure is on, and fans are waiting to see how this new chapter for Buffalo’s special teams unfolds.
What Happened to Tyler Bass and How Will the Buffalo Bills Adjust?
Everything changed for the Buffalo Bills when Tyler Bass was drafted 188th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Bass became a mainstay over the past five seasons, never missing a game and giving the Bills steady production on special teams. In the 2024-25 campaign, things took a turn as Bass dealt with a persistent pelvic issue. This injury forced him to miss the first two preseason contests, planting seeds of concern within the organization.
Even though Bass suited up for the preseason finale, he was sidelined in practice on Thursday and Friday before being placed on injured reserve with a hip and groin injury. The setback rules him out for at least the first four games, including Sunday’s clash with the Ravens. The timing meant Buffalo had to reshuffle quickly to fill a critical roster spot.
With Bass unavailable, the Bills turned to veteran Matt Prater, choosing him after tryouts with three different kickers. Prater enters the season as the NFL’s third-oldest active player, trailing only Aaron Rodgers and Marcedes Lewis. This move brings a new dynamic to the kicking game just as the season begins.
Why Did the Buffalo Bills Choose Matt Prater to Replace Tyler Bass?
The search for Bass’ replacement started with Caden Davis, who joined Buffalo in early August as a stopgap solution. Within two weeks, the team decided to move on, waiving Davis and seeking more experience for a high-pressure role.
On Friday, the Bills signed Prater to the practice squad, then wasted little time elevating him to the active roster the following day. This quick decision signaled confidence in Prater’s ability to hit the ground running.
Prater’s route to Buffalo is a classic NFL journey. Starting at UCF from 2002 to 2005, he went undrafted but still earned stints with multiple practice squads. His first NFL action came with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007, playing in two games before landing with the Denver Broncos.
He made his mark in Denver over six seasons before moving on to the Detroit Lions in 2015 for a seven-year stretch. Prater then spent the past four seasons handling kicks for the Arizona Cardinals before seizing this latest opportunity with Buffalo.
The Bills signed veteran K Matt Prater to the practice squad while Tyler Bass continues to be limited by a hip/groin issue.
Prater ranks 15th in scoring in NFL history. His 64-yard FG was the longest ever in 2014, though the mark has been broken since.pic.twitter.com/fyUqdHXpjv
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) September 4, 2025
Prater arrives in Buffalo with an impressive résumé. He holds the NFL record for most career field goals from 50 yards or longer, finishing just behind the combined total for every Bills kicker in franchise history.
Bass, by comparison, leads the franchise with 16 from that distance. Adding to his long-range reputation, Prater’s career has stretched over 19 seasons, during which he’s become known as one of football’s most reliable long-distance specialists and a two-time Pro Bowler.
Statistics speak volumes: Prater is 15th all-time in scoring with 1,808 points and 407 made field goals. He once held the NFL record with a 64-yard field goal in 2013 and boasts a 75% career make rate on attempts from 50 yards or beyond.
Those are the types of achievements that have earned him the trust of coaches and teammates heading into the high-stakes opening of the 2025 campaign.
