A breakdown of Bass’ performance during this summer’s training camp
As the Buffalo Bills gear up for the 2024 NFL season, one of the biggest questions lingering in the minds of fans isn’t about Josh Allen’s MVP campaign or how the revamped offense with almost an entirely new wide receiver room will perform — it’s about Tyler Bass. Yes… the kicker.
Over the past few seasons, Bass has been a reliable weapon for the Bills. His clutch performances made him a fan favorite and the Bills rewarded him in April of 2023 with a four-year, $20.4 million contract extension. With an AAV of $5.25 million, Tyler Bass became the four-highest-paid kicker in the NFL with his extension.
But after the 2023 season, Bass, who many fans nicknamed “bass-o-matic” over the years, no longer feels “automatic.” The previous two seasons (2021 and 2022) Bass averaged over 87% on field goal attempts, but last season his consistency dropped to 82%. But even so, it wasn’t until his recent playoff performance that more people had a cause for concern. Bass went 2-5 (40%) during the post season and his 44-yard miss in the Divisional Playoff game versus the Kansas City Chiefs would have tied the game with less than two minutes remaining.
So let me begin with saying that there’s a warranted narrative the Buffalo Bills should have brought in another kicker to push Tyler Bass this offseason. What concerns me is the fan base calling for his job after a couple of misses during camp. He must have had a terrible camp... right?
Tyler Bass’ 2024 Training Camp Numbers
So how exactly did Tyler Bass perform during camp? Based on the reports from Bills beat reporters and media outlets such as Alex Brasky, Sal Capaccio, Matt Parrino, Alaina Getzenberg, and AJ Feldman, here’s a breakdown of Bass’ performance during this year’s training camp:
- July 26: 6-6
- July 30: 5-6
- August 2 (Blue & Red Scrimmage): 7-8
- August 5: 5-5
- August 7: 6-8 (per Sal Capaccio) / 4-6 (per Alex Brasky)
Overall, Bass has gone 29-33, hitting at an 87.9% rate. However, his four misses have come from 46, 50, 52, and 58 yards, with the latter occurring during a rain-soaked session on wet turf.
Context Matters
Before we jump to any conclusions, it’s essential to consider the context of these misses. Kicking in the NFL isn’t just about leg strength or accuracy — it’s about performing under various conditions. The fact that Bass missed from 58 yards in poor weather conditions isn’t exactly cause for alarm. He went 7-for-7 after that initial miss but most of social media only focused on the lone miss.
It’s important to acknowledge the role that social media plays in shaping the perception on performance. Every missed kick during training camp can quickly become a trending topic, with fans and media alike dissecting each attempt in real time. Unfortunately, it’s the misses that gain attention, not the makes. This instant analysis, often without the full context, can amplify concerns and create a narrative that may not entirely reflect reality.
Concern
One area where Bass has excelled in his career is his ability to hit from long range and in high-pressure situations. These are the kicks that often decide close games, particularly in the playoffs. If Bass is struggling, it could force the coaching staff to rethink their strategy in high-pressure situations, potentially opting for a punt or a risky fourth-down attempt instead of a long field goal.
The idea that Bass is having a “bad off-season” or should be replaced is largely driven by this social media echo chamber, where a few missed kicks can be blown out of proportion as everyone focuses solely on those alone. While fans have every right to voice their concerns, it’s crucial to separate fact from fiction and remember that training camp is a time for growth and adjustments, not a definitive judgment of a player’s future performance.
But should we be concerned? No! Pump the breaks… there’s no real cause for concern… yet. While his training camp performance has shown a few cracks, it’s far too early to say that we have a “Tyler Bass problem.” If anything, his training camp performance should be affirmation that his postseason woes were just that — uncharacteristic. His camp numbers are in line with his best two years.
Tyler Bass has proven himself time and again as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. Training camp is precisely the time to work out the kinks (which as shown above — there weren’t many). For now, Bass has earned the benefit of the doubt.