Brenden Bates

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		11	4	48	—
2025		9	4	48	0
2024		7	0	0	0

Updated Jan 1, 1970

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This signing grades out as a slight overpay for the Cleveland Browns — the team is getting approximately what they're paying for in on-field production. Brenden's on-field performance ranks in the bottom quartile among NFL TEs, grading him as an unproven at the position. His $1.1M average annual value ranks as bargain money for the TE market. The production lines up closely with the price tag — unproven production at bargain money, which is essentially paying fair market value. Brenden is squarely in his prime, which adds to the deal's upside — the team should get multiple productive seasons out of this contract. The 1-year, $1.1M deal keeps the commitment short, giving the team financial flexibility to move on if performance drops.

Performance Analysis

Brenden Bates is firmly in replacement-level territory at the tight end position, a second-year player whose D performance grade reflects production that barely registers on a depth chart. His lone statistical highlight across nine games amounts to 48 receiving yards, a figure that signals he has not yet established himself as a reliable pass-catching option at any level of a game plan. The one tackle on his ledger points to where his actual NFL value lives — special teams, where fringe roster players carve out their survival. Appearing in nine games without generating meaningful offensive output tells the story clearly: he is an organizational body, present but not consequential. The media framing is almost uniformly indifferent, treating his waiver claim and ERFA tender as routine roster hygiene rather than any kind of competitive addition, and the broader Cleveland fanbase has largely ignored his situation while tracking higher-profile moves. With the Browns at 5-12 and the regular season still 136 days away, Bates enters the offseason as a practice-squad-caliber player competing for emergency depth and a special teams roster spot — which, given Cleveland's recent wave of signings, makes his path to a 53-man roster spot genuinely uncertain.

Fan Sentiment

The media and fan reaction to Brenden Bates' signing with the Cleveland Browns has been notably muted, earning a D+ sentiment grade that reflects the routine nature of this depth move. Coverage has been minimal, with most outlets framing this as standard organizational roster management rather than a meaningful addition to the tight end room. Bates appears destined for a practice squad or special teams role, with fans showing little interest in what's viewed as a low-impact signing behind the Browns' established tight end options. The lack of fanfare surrounding this move suggests both media and supporters see Bates as replacement-level depth rather than someone expected to contribute meaningfully on offense. This tepid reception is typical for players in Bates' tier, where the primary value lies in providing emergency depth and special teams coverage rather than generating excitement about offensive production.