Lions Offseason Positional Analysis: STs

This is the Ninth and Last in our series of roster analysis by position group for the 2026 offseason leading up to Free Agency and the NFL draft. Today’s focus will be on Special teams, where the Lions have control of their K (ERFA), Punter (under Contract) and LS (Under Contract, but the return game will need some assistance.

Detroit Lions P Jack Fox and K Jake Bates

STs

• Under Contract:

  • Jack Fox (P), Hogan Hatten (LS), Jacob Saylors (KR-Re-Signed ERFA), Sione Vaki (KR)

• Free Agents:

  • Jake Bates (K-ERFA), Kalif Raymond (PR-UFA), Tom Kennedy (KR-RFA), Grant Stuard (KR/ST-UFA)

Analysis:

Unless Jack Fox is a surprise cut (Cut would save $2.25M), Punter and LS (Hatten) are both under contract for 2026. K Jake Bates though, is an ERFA, and it appears that the Lions have not tendered him yet for 2026. The tender is based on the Vet Minimum for accrued seasons, of which Bates has two, so it would be a one-year deal for $1,075,000. With the Lions not tendering him yet (once tendered that is only option to sign), it appears that both sides may be hoping to get a long-term extension done. They will have until the 1st day of the new league year (3/11/26) to extend or tender him or let him walk as a free agent. Bottom line, if the Lions want him back, they will tender him and he will play for only the Lions. The PR /KR situation is a bit more fluid, as the only regulars from 2025 still under contract are Jacob Saylors (KR) and Sione Vaki (KR). Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy and Grant Stuard are all UFAs currently, although I expect at least one of the WRs and Stuard to re-sign with the Lions.

Options:

Although all three specialists likely under contract for only 2026, the Lions may be on the lookout for more than just camp legs this offseason. Fox is the senior member of the group at 30 and going into his seventh season, he is also the most expensive. There are only three punters with draftable grades this year, one in the 5th and two in the 7th, the rest are all projected to be UDFAs. As for Kicker, Bates will be 27 entering year three and his FG % dipped a bit, which was primarily due to five misses from 50+ yards along with a blocked kick from 45. He also took some nasty impacts in a couple games on KO tackles that may have impacted him on subsequent kicks. It’s possible the Lions will look to at least bring in some competition at K, but outside of RFA Brandon Aubrey of the Cowboys (received the second round tender), the FA market only holds 16 kickers to start, with nine UFAs (six of whom are over 30) and seven ERFA/RFA that haven’t re-signed or been tendered by their teams yet. There is also an inordinate number of former Lions Kickers, including Matt Prater, Riley Patterson, Zane Gonzalez and of course Jake Bates available. As for LS, I don’t think the Lions will make a move or even bring someone in unless Hatten gets injured, as there are only 15 LS on the market, and all but three are 30 years or older.

• Free Agent

  • P:  Jordan Stout (UFA), Ryan Wright (UFA)

  • K:  Brandon Aubrey (RFA), Riley Patterson (UFA), Jake Bates (ERFA), Joey Slye (UFA)

  • LS: Scott Daly (UFA), Jacob Bobenmoyer (UFA)

• Draft Pick

  • P: Tommy Doman Jr. (UDFA), Ryan Eckley (UDFA), Jack Stonehouse (UDFA), Brett Thorson (UDFA)

  • K: Will Ferrin (UDFA), Dominic Zvada (UDFA), Trey Smack (UDFA), Drew Stevens (UDFA)

  • LS: N/A

Bottom Line:

Outside of a surprise cut of Jack Fox or letting Jake Bates walk, I think the Lions will continue with the trio that they had the last two years. Outside of Brandon Aubrey being signed from Dallas at K, there really isn’t any clear upgrades on the FA market to replace Fox or Bates. Hatten hits the trifecta of being steady, young and cheap, exactly what you want out of your LS. The returners will sort itself out once guys are re-signed and drafted but expect a few familiar faces to return in 2026 in those roles.

In the end, I believe that Holmes tenders Bates, and we run back all three guys for 2026, while bringing in some camp legs and competition just in case. After 2026, all three are UFAs, so it is possible that long-term extensions or replacements could be brought in, with extensions more likely.