NFL Career Overview and Current Status
Matt Prater is a veteran NFL kicker whose sports career spans multiple teams and includes one of the most reliable kicking performances in league history. He entered the NFL after playing college football at UCF and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Over his career, Prater has become known for long-range accuracy, clutch game-winning kicks, and consistent production across offenses. His current team and role can be verified through official NFL team rosters and transactions pages nfl.com.
Prater has played for the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and most recently the Las Vegas Raiders. His career longevity is supported by strong leg strength, disciplined practice habits, and a high success rate on field goals and extra points. He has served primarily as a starting kicker on special teams units while also handling field goal and extra point duties. His current contract terms and roster status with the Raiders reflect the market value of reliable kickers in the NFL.
Key Records, Statistics, and Achievements
Matt Prater holds the NFL record for the longest field goal at 64 yards, a mark he set during the 2013 season with the Denver Broncos. He has consistently ranked among league leaders in field goal percentage, total field goals made, and long-distance accuracy. His career totals include over 400 field goals made and thousands of points scored, placing him among the top scorers in NFL history pro-football-reference.com.
Prater has earned Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors based on his annual statistical output. He has been a critical contributor in playoff games, including multiple wins with the Broncos and Lions where his kicks decided close contests. His performance in high-pressure situations, such as overtime and two-minute drills, is frequently cited in NFL analyses of clutch kicking espn.com.
Earnings, Contracts, and Financial Impact
Matt Prater's sports career earnings include multi-year contracts with the Broncos, Lions, Vikings, and Raiders, reflecting the competitive market for reliable NFL kickers. His total career earnings are estimated in the tens of millions of dollars, with annual salaries typically ranging from one to three million dollars per season depending on the team and contract structure. He has also received performance bonuses tied to field goal accuracy, long-distance makes, and team success overthecap.com.
As a veteran player, Prater's current earnings are shaped by his roster spot with the Raiders and the salary cap implications for special teams contributors. His financial profile includes standard NFL benefits, potential endorsement opportunities, and post-career planning common among long-tenured players. His career trajectory illustrates how specialized positions like kicker can sustain a lengthy, lucrative NFL career through consistent performance and reliability spotrac.com.