Matt Prater

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	FG%
Career		91	83.8%
2025		15	90.0%
2024		4	100.0%
2023		17	84.8%
2022		13	88.0%
2021

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Among PK contracts at this AAV tier, Matt Prater earns a A- Contract Value Index (CVI). At $1.255M per year on a one-year deal, Prater's contract represents efficient roster management for a franchise needing proven reliability at a premium position—his B- performance grade on the 2025 season (15 games played) reflects a kicker still capable of clutch production without commanding the kind of guaranteed money that would handcuff the Bills' flexibility. The kicker market at this salary level typically demands either younger prospects with upside or veteran anchors locked in for multiple seasons; Prater's single-year structure is the rare middle ground that lets Buffalo test durability at 41 while preserving the option to pivot without dead-cap consequences. His 19-year career pedigree and recent playoff heroics—the 50-yard game-winning field goal to force overtime—justify the CVI grade despite the Week 16 injury absence and the open competition with Tyler Bass that signals organizational hedging rather than full commitment. The Bills' recent roster moves, including receiver additions and cornerback reshuffles, show a team in active roster-maintenance mode, which means every dollar counts; Prater's contract hits that efficiency target while the one-year term ensures he won't become a legacy overpay if durability concerns prove prescient. Unless the Bass competition resolves decisively in Prater's favor, his public standing will likely remain in the cautious-respect tier, and the CVI grade appropriately reflects a contract that costs next to nothing while demanding nothing long-term in return.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the A band — a quick read on where Matt's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Matt Prater is a 19-year NFL veteran and one of the most durable and accomplished kickers of his generation, now in a depth role with the Buffalo Bills at age 41. Earning a B- overall grade, Prater remains a functional contributor, though his best seasons are clearly behind him. His career trajectory shows a worrying slide — dropping from a B- in 2024 to a C+ in 2025 — raising legitimate questions about sustainability. Still, his body of work demands respect, and he is far more than a reclamation project. His strongest current asset is field goal accuracy, connecting at a 90.0% clip against an NFL average of 84.38%. That six-point margin above league average is meaningful and reflects his technical consistency and experienced approach under pressure. The gap between his current production and elite-tier accuracy — benchmarked near 99.74% — is notable, but few kickers in the league sustain that standard long-term. At 41, the ceiling is fixed, and the real question is whether Prater can maintain above-average accuracy through a full season without physical regression. His trend line warrants monitoring — two consecutive grade drops signal a gradual fade rather than a sudden cliff. If his FG percentage dips below 85.0% next season, the conversation shifts from "valuable veteran" to "roster decision."

How Matt Compares at the Position

Matt Prater ranks 6th of 39 graded pks by performance. That slots Matt between Ka'imi Fairbairn (B-) just ahead and Chris Boswell (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Matt Prater enters 2026 as a veteran kicker with a secure but modest reputation anchored by his 19-year NFL tenure and recent clutch playoff performance. Media coverage reflects a dual narrative: appreciation for his experience and late-game heroics (50-yard field goal in playoff overtime) balanced against legitimate uncertainty about his role going forward, with the Bills openly evaluating alternatives like Tyler Bass. His comments about the Bills organization being unique in his career suggest positive locker-room standing, but the injury-related benching and replacement speculation indicate he is no longer viewed as a franchise cornerstone. At $1.3M annually, Prater occupies the role-player tier typical of aging specialists, where perception hinges on immediate performance rather than career trajectory. Overall, fan and media sentiment reflects cautious respect for a reliable veteran whose job security remains contingent on health and competition, rather than the confidence afforded to established starters.