Former Kentucky Wildcats Sign as NFL Free Agents

NFL Cut Day was not kind to about a dozen former Kentucky Wildcats. For at least two players, they didn’t spend more than 24 hours in the unemployment line.

Brenden Bates was one of the brightest stars in the preseason. The former Wildcat caught six passes for 100 yards, the second-most by any tight end in the league. According to PFF, he was the highest-graded rookie tight end in the NFL.

Despite his impressive play, the Chicago Bears waived their undrafted free agent on Tuesday. Now Bates is moving from the Windy City to the Big Apple. The New York Jets claimed Bates off of waivers. Lacking depth at the position, Bates could be on the 53-man roster as TE3 for Aaron Rodgers.

#Jets TE Brenden Bates ranked 2nd among TE with 100 receiving yards this preseason.

All of his catches: pic.twitter.com/nBZT5iHEyN

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) August 28, 2024

Bates certainly experienced a roller coaster of emotions through his first few weeks in the NFL. Lonnie Johnson is used to moving and shaking around the league.

The former Kentucky JUCO prospect was drafted in the second round by the Houston Texans in 2019. By year four he was in Tennessee, followed by a trip to New Orleans for the 2023 season. This offseason he signed with the team that drafted him, then was let go on cut day by the Texans.

The five-year veteran needed a job. Fortunately, he found one with the Carolina Panthers. If not, he made it clear that the Saints’ organization was not an option.

Now Nola yall know I love yall but now I got smoke for them people in that office ‼️ https://t.co/qJds6b03Nw

— Lonnie Johnson jr. (@Lonnie30johnson) August 28, 2024

The NFL season kicks off in eight days when the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate another Super Bowl victory in a game against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

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