Bills' next move might dump coal in recent signing’s stocking

With the holidays in full swing, most Buffalo Bills fans are just happy to see that the team is locked into a spot in the postseason. But before the NFL Playoffs begin, the Bills are expecting some incoming changes in how they score points in the kicking game.

The Bills have had some bad luck this season with injuries at place kicker. Tyler Bass was lost for the season due to a hip/groin injury that required surgery. Veteran Matt Prater has filled in admirably this season, but he missed last week’s contest with a quad injury.

Michael Badgley, a journeyman veteran who most notably kicked for the Chargers, Lions and Colts in recent seasons, handled the kicking duties against the Cleveland Browns. Badgley did a serviceable job, hitting a field goal and enough of his PATs to help keep the Bills in front on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for Badgley, that might be all the Bills need him for.

Buffalo Bills' kicking situation tightening with Matt Prater nearing return

In his Monday press conference, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters that Prater is “improving”, and while that doesn’t confirm that he’ll return for the Bills' Week 17 matchup with the Eagles, it certainly sounds like he’ll be back before the regular season is over.

Once Prater returns, Badgley will undoubtedly head back to the free agent pool, making for a sour holiday season for him. Unfortunately, Badgley showed some of the inconsistencies that kept him off a roster for a chunk of the 2025 season in his first outing with the Bills.

Badgley was ultimately cut from Indianapolis this season for missing several extra points. When Badgley lined up for his second point after try, CBS play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle mentioned that fact just as Badgley pushed his kick wide right of the uprights.

Badgley also missed the landing zone on a kickoff later in the second quarter, though Cleveland did go three-and-out on the ensuing drive. The Bills also kept Badgley off the field early in the fourth quarter, opting to try for a 4th and 4 instead of giving Badgley an attempt from 50 yards out that could have put Buffalo up by nine points.

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With Prater on the mend, it’s just a matter of time before the Bills make the switch back to the veteran who has been so consistent in Bass’s place. Prater, who is in his 19th NFL season, has made 18 of 20 field goals this season, with a long of 62, and has hit all but three of his 46 PATs.

Of course, there are no guarantees just yet that Prater will return against the Eagles. If he can’t return, Badgley will get one more swing to show the NFL what he’s got ahead of the New Year.