Tyler Bass Takes First Public Kicking Reps In 2026 Training Camp. The Bills

Bass Shows Strong Leg in First Public Field Goal Reps of Bills Camp

Tyler Bass finally showcased his kicking ability publicly for the first time in nearly a full year during Buffalo's sixth training camp practice on Thursday, August 6, at St. John Fisher University. The kicker showcased a strong and confident leg as he made many field goals starting at 35 yards out and backing up to 51.

The milestone comes after Bass had gone nearly one full year without kicking in public , with his last competitive kick coming in Buffalo's preseason finale vs. Tampa Bay on Aug. 23, 2025 , when he converted three of four field goal attempts. Bass missed the entire 2025 season after being placed on injured reserve with a sports hernia/pelvic injury just before the opener, with veteran Matt Prater filling in.

Reflecting on the milestone, Bass emphasized the importance of repetition after his long layoff: "I've done it for a while," Bass shared. "I have the experience, but it's all about just getting repetition, getting reps."

The 29-year-old is also building chemistry with a pair of new holders this offseason. As Bass gets ready for his seventh season, he's getting familiar with two new holders in punters Mitch Wishnowsky and Tommy Doman Jr., with Wishnowsky having punted for the Bills last year while Doman Jr. was a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Florida. Bass praised both, saying "Both Mitch and Tommy are doing a great job. Reid (Ferguson) is the best in the league, so he makes it easy. They're both doing really well."

New special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers, who previously spent eight seasons in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals, has taken a deliberate approach to Bass's return. Rodgers didn't want Bass to rush through anything during his ramp-up process. Earlier in camp, Rodgers had noted that Bass's tape looked encouraging even before he took public reps, saying "It hasn't worked out for us to be on the field quite yet. That'll happen later on this week, and again at the stadium," said Rodgers while formally addressing reporters for the first time this training camp prior to Practice No. 5 on August 4.

Bass, entering his seventh NFL season, brings a strong track record to build on. Throughout his six-year career, Bass has been a model of consistency with his right leg, posting an 84.5 field goal percentage and making 96.4% of his extra points over five healthy seasons. He is also expected to kick during the team's Return of the Blue & Red practice on August 8 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, giving fans another opportunity to see him in action ahead of the regular season.