Brenden Bates Bio
Brenden Bates is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Bates has shown promise in his early career, transitioning through several teams in the NFL and making a name for himself as a reliable player on the field.
Early Life and Background
Brenden Bates was born on October 17, 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He comes from a family with a strong athletic background, as both his parents, two siblings, and his grandfather played collegiate sports. Bates attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. In football, he was recognized as a standout player, earning first-team All-Greater Catholic League honors twice and finishing his senior year with 17 receptions for 305 yards and 11 touchdowns. His impressive high school performance led to his selection for the national team at the International Bowl. Bates was ranked as a four-star recruit and was considered one of the top tight ends in the nation. He committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, where he would further develop his skills and showcase his abilities on a larger stage.
Path to American Football
Bates began his college career at the University of Kentucky in 2018, where he redshirted his true freshman year, appearing in only two games. The following season, he participated in 13 games primarily on special teams. Unfortunately, injuries limited his playing time in 2020, but he managed to make his first career catch that year. In 2021, Bates became a starter in six games, totaling 11 catches for 70 yards, which included his first collegiate touchdown. He continued to build on his success, recording 10 receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown during the 2022 season. In 2023, he returned for a final season, catching four passes for 89 yards, and finished his collegiate career with 26 catches for 272 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him an invitation to the 2024 Hula Bowl all-star game.
Brenden Bates Career
Early Career (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brenden Bates signed with the Chicago Bears on May 9, 2024. He quickly made an impact during the preseason, catching six passes for 100 yards. However, he was waived by the Bears during the final roster cuts on August 27, 2024.
Breakthrough (2024-2025)
Bates was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on August 28, 2024. His time with the Jets was brief, as he was released on October 17 but re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. On December 18, 2024, Bates was signed off the Jets’ practice squad to the Cleveland Browns’ active roster following an injury to star running back Nick Chubb. He made the initial 53-man roster for the Browns on August 26, 2025, but was waived the next day and re-signed to the practice squad. Bates was signed by the Houston Texans on September 17, 2025, where he made three appearances and recorded two receptions for 23 yards before being waived on October 25. He returned to the Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2025, after being claimed off waivers.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his early career, Brenden Bates has demonstrated his potential as a tight end, contributing to various teams in the NFL. His notable achievements include his strong preseason performance with the Chicago Bears and his ability to secure a spot on the Cleveland Browns’ roster.
Brenden Bates Award Nominations
As of now, Brenden Bates has not received any notable award nominations in his professional football career.
Brenden Bates Awards Won
Brenden Bates has not won any awards during his professional football career thus far.
Brenden Bates Family
Information regarding Brenden Bates’ family is limited, but it is known that he comes from a family with a strong athletic background.
Personal Life
Details about Brenden Bates’ personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly available at this time.
