The good: 2025 was a solid year across the board for Detroit's special teams unit.
The Lions finished ninth in the NFL in average starting field position after a kickoff (31.1-yard line) and 10th in opponent starting field position (29.9).
Jack Fox continues to be one of the league's elite punters in his sixth season. His 42.8 net average ranked in the top 10 and his two touchbacks were the third fewest.
Veteran wide receiver and punt returner Kalif Raymond had the second lowest punt return average (7.5) of his career, but his 241 punt return yards allowed him to pass Mel Gray for the franchise record of 1,948 punt return yards.
Jake Bates reached 135 points scored on the season (54 XP & 27 FG) which are the second-most points a kicker has produced in a season in franchise history, trailing only his team 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 – Brandon Aubrey (Dallas, 2023-24), Tyler Bass (Buffalo, 2020-21), Harrison Butker (Kansas City, 2017-18).
A couple of individual coverage performances deserve to be recognized. First is linebacker Jack Campbell, who despite being an All-Pro MIKE linebacker on defense, 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.
Grant Stuard led the Lions with 14 special teams tackles followed by Trevor Nowaske (12), Tyrus Wheat (11) and Sione Vaki (10).
"One guy who I think is a very, very good player in this league on special teams - I mean he's a dynamic player and he doesn't get talked about a lot, some but not as much as some guys - Vaki has really had a great year for us," Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said at the end of the season.
"And I mean he's just a unique athlete. Explosive, powerful, strong, he's an offender technically. I know he played both in college, but his ability to make tackles and play in coverage is exceptional for that position of running back. And so, he's been a great player for us this season. I think he's had a really good year."
Detroit also led the NFL this season with the highest percentage of 20-plus yard kickoff returns at 93.9 percent. The Lions were called for 15 penalties on special teams, which ranked ninth fewest. For comparison, Tennessee was flagged for 36 special teams penalties.
View photos of the Detroit Lions special teams from the 2025 NFL season.
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Chicago. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) kicks off during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Chicago. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) after a field goal during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) returns the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) returns a punt during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) returns a punt for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 in Baltimore. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) returns a kick during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) makes a tackle during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat (99) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
The bad: Detroit failed on their lone fake punt attempt this season on a 4th & 2 play at their own 43-yard line in the second quarter in a loss at Philadelphia.
Bates saw his field goal make percentage drop from 89.7 percent in 2024 (26-for-29) to 79.4 percent (27-for-34) this season. Bates was 4-for-9 from 50-plus yards this season after going 6-for-8 from that distance in his first season in Detroit last year. Bates was a perfect 14-for-14 from inside 40 yards and 9-for-11 from 40-49 yards this season.
Key stat: Bates is 6-of-6 on go-ahead/game-tying field goals in the final two minutes or in OT in his Lions career.
Free agents: WR/KR Raymond (unrestricted), LB Malcolm Rodriguez (unrestricted), LB Stuard (unrestricted), S Daniel Thomas (unrestricted), WR/KR Tom Kennedy (restricted), LB Nowaske (restricted), EDGE Wheat (restricted), K Bates (exclusive rights).
Every year it seems Fipp gets a new group of players to work and build his units, but that's kind of the life of a special teams coordinator when rosters on average turn over 33 percent year over year.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell place a high value on special teams and typically use resources to bring in players like Stuard last offseason who excel on special teams and can play a reserve role on offense or defense.
It will be interesting to see what the Lions opt to do with Raymond, who has been a glue player on this roster since both Holmes and Campbell arrived in Detroit in 2021. He's been consistently one of the best punt returners over the last five seasons and has given Detroit position flexibility and production as a receiver.
Draft: The Lions have a ton of confidence in Bates, but it wouldn't be surprising if they brought someone in to compete this spring and summer, whether that's a veteran free agent or undrafted rookie.
Trey Smack (Florida), Will Ferrin (BYU), Drew Stevens (Iowa) and Dominic Zvada (Michigan) are a few of the top kickers expected to enter this year's NFL Draft.
View photos of Detroit Lions players at the Pro Bowl over the years.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and quarterback Jared Goff (16) at practice during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 1, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) at practice during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 1, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) at practice during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 1, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) catches a pass at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrate Gibbs' conversion attempt interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrates a score with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) catches a pass from Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) intercepts a pass at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates an interception by Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) participates in the perfect punt challenge at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68), Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and NFC Coach Eli Manning during introductions at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrate a defensive stop by the NFC at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrates the NFC relay race win with New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) participates in tug of war at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate after the 2025 Pro Bowl Games Championship on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) at practice during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) at practice during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) at practice during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) at practice during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 3, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87), and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 4, 2024. (Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games Skills Competition in Las Vegas, NV on February 2, 2023. (Jeff Lewis/AP Images for NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games on Sunday, February 5, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) is seen in action during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games on Sunday, February 5, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) participates in the Gridiron Gauntlet during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games on Sunday, February 5, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) before the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, NV on February 5, 2023. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) competes in the Best Catch competition finals during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, NV on February 5, 2023. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) at practice during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, NV on February 4, 2023. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at practice during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, NV on February 4, 2023. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during NFC Pro Bowl practice Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 in Orlando. (Detroit Lions via AP).
NFC wide receiver Kenny Golladay makes a catch against the AFC in the Pro Bowl NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Detroit Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach (48) at Pro Bowl practice on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 in Orlando, Fla. (Detroit Lions via AP)
NFC long snapper Don Muhlbach (48), of the Detroit Lions, runs onto the field during player introductions before the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the AFC Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Detroit Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach (48) during the Pro Bowl on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 in Orlando, Fla. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) of the NFC plays in the NFL Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
HONOLULU, HI- FEBRUARY 4: Detroit Lions wide receiver Desmond Howard #80 of the NFC returns a kickoff against the AFC in the 2001 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 4, 2001 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC defeated the NFC 38-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
NFC Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders (20) of the Detroit Lions during the pregame before the AFC's 29-24 victory over the NFC in the 1998 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1998 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore (84, NFC) smiles during the Pro Bowl Battle of the Gridiron event in Honolulu, HI, Feb. 1, 1996. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore (84) catches a pass during the NFL Pro Bowl, a 20-13 NFC victory on February 4, 1996, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Chris Spielman (54) during the NFL Pro Bowl, a 27-21 NFC victory on February 4, 1990, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Quotable: "Yeah, for me it's pretty easy. Number one, just look at the big picture. I mean, do you have a good player or not? I mean to me, clearly, we have a very, very good player," Fipp said of Bates late in December. "If you put him on the streets, there would be a bunch of teams claiming him right away. And the truth is, we'd have a really hard time finding a guy even near the same player as him. So, that would be one.
"The next thing, I think I've kind of said all along, you're going to have some ups and downs. All these guys do year to year, even older players have ups and downs. And a lot of that is the sample size is small. Anytime you have a handful of kicks blocked, it's obviously – you don't even have a chance to make the thing. So, your numbers are going to go down. I really am not worried about him at all. I think he's a great player, he's going to be an incredible player in this league, he's a tremendous talent."
