After a shaky start last year, Matt Prater settled in to finally become a solution of the Lions’ kicking woes in 2014. His strong finish also earned him a contract extension with he Lions.
According to the team’s website, Detroit re-signed Prater to a three-year deal worth an estimated $9M.
“As Matt got more acclimated with us, especially with Don (Mulbach) and Sam (Martin), he really became someone we could count on and was a positive contributor to our kicking game last season,” head coach Jim Caldwell said in a statement. “Our field goal unit made significant improvement with Matt as the season went on.
“Re-signing Matt was definitely a priority for us. We are excited to bring him back, and we feel that both he and Sam (Martin) provides us with two valuable weapons in the kicking game.”
Additionally Prater instructed his agent to get a deal done with Detroit after the Lions gave him an opportunity following his off the field issues with the Broncos.
“I’ve already told my agent that I want to stay here because I enjoy it so much,” he said. “Everyone has been super good to me out here and I want to stay here.
“I feel loyalty here because they gave me an opportunity, and I had a lot of fun being here. I love the team, the coaches, from the ownership, Martin (Mayhew), Tom (Lewand) and everyone. I’ve had a lot of fun.”
Rusty in his return to the field last year while going 1 for 3 in field goals against Minnesota, Prater finished the year 20 of 23 including hitting the game winner (on his second attempt) against the Atlanta Falcons in London.
h/t: DetroitLions.com