Tyler Bass Restores Some Confidence vs. Browns, But Bills Aren't Out of the Woods Yet

Bills kicker Tyler Bass had a promising showing in preseason Week 2, but nobody should be 100% confident in him just yet.

Buffalo Bills place kicker Tyler Bass (16) kicks a field goal aginst the Carolina Panthers during the first half at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After not playing a snap last season due to injury, Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass has been having an up-and-down offseason overall, but he managed to restore some confidence in the preseason Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns.

After an ugly showing during practice on Thursday, when Bass missed two of his six field goal tries from 35 and 45 yards out, Buffalo's kicker drilled a 52-yarder on Saturday afternoon.

Bass also attempted four extra points, and he nailed all of them.

While the 52-yarder was certainly encouraging, especially given the elements he was battling, it is worth pointing out that Bass barely squeezed his lone field goal try through the upright.

Tyler Bass making it look easy from 52 yards! pic.twitter.com/eOQdgwvSpl

— Mike Bundt (@Mike_Bundt) August 22, 2026

"He's got the right mentality," head coach Joe Brady said of Bass. "It was a lot of fun to watch. Got a lot of trust in him."

"Feels good, just kind of seeing all the hard work pay off," Bass said in the locker room after the game. It was a good situation for us and I'm glad we were able to go out there and execute."

"Going into my seventh year, so I've got some games under my belt, but it's just like a long-lost friend," Bass said when asked how it feels to be back. "You're just getting reacquainted to it and it feels good to be back and it's just a constant growth thing."

In all, Bass has made four of his five field goal tries in the preseason and all six of his extra points.

Bills aren't out of the woods yet

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (16) makes a field goal with holder Mitch Wishnowsky (19) as Carolina Panthers defensive back Will Lee (24) rushes in during the first quarter at the New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The duality of Bass has been on full display this offseason.

After missing a kick in preseason Week 1, he appeared to have a strong practice last Tuesday, struggled on Thursday, and then turned it around on Saturday.

And, lest we forget, he wasn't exactly automatic before his injury after he posted back-to-back seasons in which he converted on 82.8% of his field goals following campaigns with 87.5% and 87.1% success rates.

Now, the Bills are hoping Bass can be reliable after not having played a single snap in the NFL since 2024. That might be a tall order, but at least he's moving in a positive direction after the second preseason game.

Bass will have more opportunities to get some work in at practice this week, and then he'll have one more dress rehearsal in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.