Matt Prater teams timeline: Full history of kicker's NFL career, from Broncos Super Bowl appearance to Bills stint

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Few specialists in professional football have defied time quite like Matt Prater, whose nearly two-decade journey across the league has become a masterclass in all aspects of kicking.

Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Prater has transitioned from a young specialist fighting for a roster spot to a respected elder statesman. His presence on the sideline has long served as a strategic security blanket for coaches, who know the scoring zone extends well beyond the traditional boundaries thanks to a leg that has shown remarkably little decline into his forties.

That longevity is highlighted by a resume of records that place him among the NFL’s elite. Best known for his distance, Prater holds the all-time league record for the most field goals converted from 50 yards or longer—a testament to a career spent thriving in high-pressure, high-altitude, and high-stakes moments.

While he once held the record for the longest kick in NFL history for nearly a decade, it is his cumulative scoring and consistency across nearly 20 seasons that solidify his legacy as one of the most prolific weapons the kicking game has ever seen.

Here’s a timeline of Prater’s storied career.

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Matt Prater teams timeline

Atlanta Falcons (2007)

After being released by Detroit and Miami in the 2006 and 2007 preseasons respectively, Prater finally made his NFL debut with the Falcons in 2007. He won the job over Billy Cundiff but struggled immediately, converting only one of four field goal attempts in two regular-season games. Atlanta quickly pivoted, releasing the young kicker in September to sign veteran legend Morten Andersen.

Denver Broncos (2007–2013)

Prater found his footing in Denver after being signed off the Dolphins' practice squad late in 2007. Over the next seven seasons, he became one of the league's most feared weapons due to the thin air altitude of Mile High Stadium and his natural leg strength. In 2013, he turned in a historic campaign, setting a then-NFL record with a 64-yard field goal and making 25 of 26 attempts (96.2%).

He was named a Second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler that year as the Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII.

Detroit Lions (2014–2020)

Following a suspension and his subsequent release from Denver in 2014, Prater signed with the Lions to stabilize a struggling kicking unit. He spent seven seasons in Detroit, earning a reputation for incredible "clutch" factor, including a 2016 season where he set an NFL record for the most game-winning field goals in a single season.

During his tenure, he surpassed Jason Hanson for many franchise marks and became the first kicker in NFL history to convert 50 career field goals from 50+ yards.

Arizona Cardinals (2021–2024)

Prater moved to the desert in 2021, signing a multi-year deal with the Cardinals. Even as he entered his late 30s, his distance remained elite. In 2023, he officially became the NFL’s all-time leader in field goals of 50 or more yards, surpassing Sebastian Janikowski. Despite Arizona's shifting roster and coaching changes, Prater remained a model of consistency, finishing his Cardinals stint with a perfect 6-for-6 mark in his injury-shortened 2024 season.

Buffalo Bills (2025–present)

Seeking a veteran leg for a championship run, the Bills signed the 41-year-old Prater for the 2025 season. He took a red eye to Buffalo right before the Bills' Week 1 game against the Ravens, and he hit the game-winning field goal in a 41-40 win.

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 8, 2025

Prater proved he still had plenty of power, converting 18 of 20 field goals during the regular season to help Buffalo secure the AFC East title. Despite battling quadriceps and calf injuries late in the year, he returned for the postseason, going 2-for-2 in the Wild Card round to help propel the Bills into the Divisional Round against his former team, the Denver Broncos.

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Matt Prater career stats

Season	Team	G	20-29	30-39	40-49	50+	FGM-A	FG%	PTS
2007	Falcons	2	0-1	0-0	1-3	0-0	1-4	25.0%	4
2008	Broncos	16	7-8	8-9	5-11	5-6	25-34	73.5%	114
2009	Broncos	16	14-14	6-8	8-10	2-3	30-35	85.7%	122
2010	Broncos	12	3-3	7-7	4-5	2-3	16-18	88.9%	76
2011	Broncos	16	5-6	8-8	3-7	3-4	19-25	76.0%	87
2012	Broncos	16	7-7	10-11	5-9	3-5	26-32	81.2%	133
2013	Broncos	16	4-4	5-5	8-8	6-7	25-26	96.2%	150
2014	Lions	11	8-8	4-5	6-8	3-5	21-26	80.8%	84
2015	Lions	16	3-3	8-9	6-6	5-6	22-24	91.7%	101
2016	Lions	16	10-10	4-5	10-14	7-7	31-36	86.1%	124
2017	Lions	16	4-4	10-10	7-8	7-11	30-35	85.7%	130
2018	Lions	16	8-8	12-12	5-7	3-5	28-32	87.5%	114
2019	Lions	16	11-11	2-3	6-9	7-8	26-31	83.9%	113
2020	Lions	16	4-4	7-7	4-7	6-10	21-28	75.0%	101
2021	Cardinals	17	11-11	9-11	3-5	7-10	30-37	81.1%	137
2022	Cardinals	13	1-1	10-10	6-8	5-6	22-25	88.0%	83
2023	Cardinals	17	6-6	7-8	6-7	9-12	28-33	84.8%	106
2024	Cardinals	4	1-1	1-1	3-3	1-1	6-6	100%	28
2025	Bills	15	4-4	7-8	6-6	1-2	18-20	90.0%	100
Career	19 Seasons	269	111-114	125-137	102-141	82-111	425-507	83.8%	1,908