6-for-6: Bates on go-ahead/game-tying field goals in the final two minutes or OT in his Lions career.
10: Despite being an All-Pro MIKE linebacker on defense, Campbell wanted to play special teams and cover kicks. He’s the first NFL player since 1994 to produce a season with at least 165 defensive tackles and 10 special teams tackles.
13: Punts by Fox last season that pinned opponents inside their own 10-yard line. Only Houston’s Tommy Townsend (16) had more.
15: The Lions were called for 15 penalties on special teams last season, ninth fewest in the league.
31.1: Average starting field position after a kickoff for the Lions last season, which ranked ninth-best in the NFL.
135: Points scored by Bates last season (54 XP and 27 FG) which are the second-most points a kicker has produced in a season in franchise history, trailing only his record of 142 points scored in 2024. He’s only the fourth player in NFL history to produce at least 135 points in each of the first two seasons of a player’s career, joining Brandon Aubrey (Dallas, 2023-24), Tyler Bass (Buffalo, 2020-21) and Harrison Butker (Kansas City, 2017-18).
Quotable: “I mean Vaki, he is a very good special teams player. I’ll say it that way. As a running back, he’s as good as any running back I’ve been around playing that position or playing on special teams and I’m obviously excited about him,” Fipp said.
“The big thing for him is he’s got to stay healthy. He got hurt a little bit last year that didn’t help us out, but he’s got to stay healthy. Other than that, I mean this guy’s a very talented player. He is explosive, great athlete, great guy. I think he works hard. I think he’s passionate player, wants to do well for the team and certainly excited to have him here.”
