Have you ever had a friend who’s always there for the tough stuff, like opening a stuck jar lid or grilling burgers for the whole block? That’s kind of how Matt Prater rolls in the NFL. He’s the guy teams call when they need a kicker who can nail a 64-yarder in the snow without breaking a sweat.
So, what teams has Matt Prater played for? It’s a fun little road trip through the league, and we’re about to take it together.
Let’s kick off where his story really begins: the Denver Broncos. Prater joined Denver in 2007 after bouncing around as an undrafted free agent. He didn’t just play there—he became a legend in the Mile High air.
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You know how your buddy always hits the game-winner in backyard football? Prater did that for real. In 2013, he booted the longest field goal in NFL history (64 yards) against the Titans, and the whole stadium lost its collective mind.
But life changes, right? Just like your favorite sandwich shop might close, Prater’s time in Denver ended in 2014. The Broncos released him, and he needed a fresh start.
From Mile High to Motor City
That fresh start came with the Detroit Lions. If Denver was the exciting, high-energy phase of his career, Detroit was the steady, reliable chapter. He signed there in 2014 and stayed through the 2020 season.
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Picture that one coworker who never calls in sick and always brings donuts on Friday. That was Prater for the Lions. He made 80.2% of his kicks in Detroit, including a franchise-record 59-yarder. The fans loved him for his ice-cold nerve in the Detroit cold.
Fun fact: He booted a 59-yard game-winner against the Washington Football Team in 2016. Imagine your dad casually sinking a putt from across the living room—that’s the vibe.
But even the longest relationships hit a fork in the road. After seven seasons, the Lions moved on, and Prater packed his bags again.
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The Desert Stop and a Surprise Twist
In 2021, Prater found a new home with the Arizona Cardinals. This was like that vacation you take to the desert—sunny, warm, and full of hope. He played for Arizona for two seasons, nailing 83.1% of his kicks.
Remember the 2021 playoff game against the Rams? Prater hit a 51-yarder with no time left to tie it. It felt like when your neighbor’s kid makes a three-pointer at the buzzer in his driveway—pure joy. But the Cardinals let him go after 2022, and the road continued.
That brings us to the Arizona Cardinals... wait, we already covered them. Let’s rewind. Actually, Prater’s next stop was the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. He signed a one-year deal to be a temporary fix, like borrowing a friend’s lawnmower for a weekend.
He only played four games for the Falcons, making all four extra points but missing a field goal. It was a short, quiet chapter—like a postcard from a trip you barely remember. But every team counts.
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Where Is He Now (and Why Should We Care)?
As of late 2024, Matt Prater is a free agent. He’s 40 years old, which in NFL kicker years is basically a wise old turtle. But he hasn’t officially retired, and kickers have a weird way of popping up when you least expect them.
So, why should you care about a list of teams? Because Matt Prater’s career is a masterclass in resilience. He got cut, dropped, and doubted—yet he kept showing up.
Think about your own life: maybe you’ve switched jobs, moved cities, or started over after a tough breakup. Prater is that guy who reminds us that it’s okay to start fresh somewhere new. He didn’t let a pink slip in Denver destroy him; he just went to Detroit and kept kicking.
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Plus, his story is a great conversation starter. Next time you’re at a barbecue, you can casually say, “Did you know Matt Prater has played for the Broncos, Lions, Cardinals, and Falcons?” People will nod like they’re learning a secret handshake.
And honestly, isn’t it fun to know that a kicker—someone who literally stands alone on the field—has been through more team changes than a character in a sitcom? It makes the NFL feel a little more human.
So raise a glass to Matt Prater, the guy who kicked his way through four teams and one record book. Whether he’s signing autographs in Denver or sunbathing in Arizona, he’s proof that you don’t have to stay in one place to leave a mark. And if you ever feel like you’re bouncing around too much, just remember: even the greatest kickers don’t always stick the landing on the first try.
Now go enjoy your day, and maybe practice your field goal technique with a crumpled paper ball. You never know when you’ll need it.