Brenden Bates Bio
Brenden Bates is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 17, 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and plays at 255 pounds. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Known for his blocking and pass-catching, Bates has bounced between practice squads and active rosters as he works to establish himself at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Brenden Bates was born on October 17, 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a deeply athletic household, with both of his parents, his two siblings, and his grandfather each having played collegiate sports. That family tradition of competitive sports shaped his early development and gave him an early understanding of the discipline required to compete at higher levels.
He attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati, where he played football, basketball, and competed in track and field. In football, he was twice named first-team All-Greater Catholic League and posted 17 receptions for 305 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. His senior production drew national attention and helped establish him as one of the more sought-after high school tight ends in his recruiting class.
Bates was also selected to play for the national team at the International Bowl and was ranked as a four-star recruit and one of the top tight ends nationally. In addition to his pass-catching skills, he was widely regarded as a top blocker, once telling the Lexington Herald-Leader that he takes pride in blocking and loves moving people against their will. He ultimately committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Path to Professional Football
As a true freshman at Kentucky in 2018, Bates redshirted while appearing in two games. The following season, he appeared in 13 games as a member of the Wildcats’ special teams unit. He played in only six games in 2020 due to injury but made his first career catch during that shortened season. Each year added polish to his game and helped him grow into a more complete tight end prospect.
In 2021, Bates started six games and totaled 11 catches for 70 yards, including his first collegiate touchdown. He recorded 10 receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown during the 2022 season. He returned for a final season in 2023, when all players were given an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and caught four passes for 89 yards in his last college year.
Bates finished his collegiate career with 26 catches for 272 yards and two touchdowns, having started 25 of the 58 games in which he appeared. Following the season, he was invited to the 2024 Hula Bowl all-star game, where he had one final opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL scouts.
Brenden Bates Career
Early Career (2024)
On May 9, 2024, after going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Brenden Bates signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. He turned heads in the preseason, catching six passes for 100 yards and demonstrating the blocking reliability that had defined his college profile. His performance suggested he had a real chance to earn a roster spot with the Bears.
On August 27, 2024, however, he was waived by the Bears as part of final roster cuts. Just one day later, on August 28, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, giving him another opportunity to stick in the league. His time with the Jets proved to be brief, as he was released on October 17 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.
Chicago Bears Era (2024)
Bates’ first NFL opportunity came with the Chicago Bears, who signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2024. He used training camp and the preseason to show the kind of well-rounded tight end play that coaches look for, finishing the exhibition schedule with six receptions for 100 yards. Despite that production, the Bears parted ways with him during final cuts in late August.
New York Jets Era (2024)
One day after being released by the Bears, Bates was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on August 28, 2024. The Jets kept him on the active roster briefly before releasing him on October 17 and bringing him back on the practice squad two days later. The short stint gave him his first regular-season exposure inside an NFL building and a taste of life in a new organization.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–2025)
On December 18, 2024, Brenden Bates was signed off the Jets’ practice squad to the Cleveland Browns’ active roster after running back Nick Chubb was placed on injured reserve. The move gave him a late-season opportunity to contribute on offense and special teams. He remained with the Browns through the end of that season and was named to the initial 53-man roster on August 26, 2025, before being waived the following day and re-signed to the practice squad on August 28.
Houston Texans Era (2025)
On September 17, 2025, Bates was signed by the Houston Texans off the Browns’ practice squad. He made three appearances for Houston, recording two receptions for 23 yards, providing a brief look at his regular-season skill set. He was waived by the Texans on October 25 as the team adjusted its roster.
Cleveland Browns Second Stint (2025–Present)
On October 27, 2025, Brenden Bates was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns, returning to the organization that had first promoted him to an active roster. The Browns have since listed him as an active tight end wearing No. 82. As of the 2025 season, he has recorded four receptions for 48 receiving yards across his NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brenden Bates is a well-rounded tight end whose game is built as much on physicality as on receiving ability. He has consistently been praised for his blocking and willingness to mix it up in the trenches, and his size and 6-foot-5 frame make him a natural fit for in-line duties. Coaches have valued his special teams contributions and his reliability, traits that have allowed him to move between teams and continue building his professional resume.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant early milestones in Brenden Bates’ career came in the 2024 preseason, when he caught six passes for 100 yards for the Chicago Bears, a strong showing for an undrafted rookie. He later earned his first NFL regular-season action with the Cleveland Browns in December 2024, then added his first regular-season statistics with the Houston Texans in 2025, recording two receptions for 23 yards in three appearances.
Brenden Bates Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Brenden Bates comes from a family with deep roots in collegiate sports. Both of his parents, his two siblings, and his grandfather each played collegiate athletics, creating a household where competitive sports were a constant presence. That strong athletic lineage helped shape his approach to the game and contributed to his development into a multi-sport high school athlete at Moeller.
Personal Life
Brenden Bates is an American professional football player from Cincinnati, Ohio. Publicly available details about his personal relationships, including marital status and children, have not been widely reported. He remains focused on building a stable NFL career as he continues to work between practice squads and active rosters.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of movement for Brenden Bates, who has cycled between the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and back to the Browns in just a few months. He began the year competing for a spot on the Browns’ initial 53-man roster before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad, a familiar position for a young tight end trying to establish himself. His brief stint with the Houston Texans produced his first regular-season statistics as a pro, with two receptions for 23 yards across three appearances.
After being waived by Houston on October 25, Bates was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on October 27, returning to the franchise that had first given him an active-roster opportunity. Listed as an active tight end on the Browns’ roster, he has continued to contribute on offense and special teams while working to solidify a longer-term role. His career totals now stand at four receptions for 48 receiving yards.
Looking ahead, Bates’ outlook in Cleveland will depend largely on his ability to stay healthy, contribute on special teams, and continue developing as a blocker and pass catcher. With the Browns active tight end room in flux, another strong stretch of practice and preseason work could open the door to a larger role. For now, the priority is simple: keep producing whenever his number is called and turn the 2025 season into a foundation for years to come.
