Tyler Bass kicks for the first time since last year’s preseason
After missing all of the 2025 season, kicker Tyler Bass saw game action for the first time on Saturday. The 29-year-old got his fair share of opportunities against the Panthers, attempting four kicks, and two extra points.
Getting back on the field against another team was a big step for Bass, after grinding all offseason to come back for this season fully healthy.
“It felt good,” Bass said. “I’ve been working really hard, so it felt good. I was just embracing it… [thinking,] ‘swing the same, do the same thing you did at practice, at the game.'”
The first preseason game of the year was also the first chance Bass has had to kick in a game at Highmark Stadium, still learning the ins-and-outs of the new building.
With makes from 33, 46 and 29 yards out, Bass got a chance to feel what it takes to knock kicks down in a new atmosphere along with new ways to limit negative weather conditions. His lone hiccup of the day coming on a 45-yard field goal that he missed in the second quarter, though he did make both of his extra point attempts.
“The more you’re in there, you just build confidence with it,” Bass said. “It did a good job of blocking out wind, and it felt good.”
The miss went wide right, but had the distance to get through the uprights. Bass knows exactly what caused him to not knock it down, regrouping and making the rest of his attempts in the win.
“I was just quick,” Bass said. “It’s something I want to clean up. I was just a little ahead of it, and ended up just pushing it. But I was happy to get a few more opportunities after, to clean that up.”