The NFL is helping the Detroit Lions in their quest to add more kickers to their roster. The reigning NFC North winners have signed kicker Jake Bates to a two-year contract, according to reports.
The financial parameters of the arrangement were not immediately revealed. In addition to the Lions, the 24-year-old attracted attention from the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders but chose to remain in Michigan.
Bates had placed himself on the NFL’s radar this season with his outstanding performance with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers, including a 64-yard field goal. Bates kicked a 64-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to win the game for the Panthers against the St. Louis Battlehawks, setting up their most recent NFL trip.
Bates made 21 of 28 field goals this season, including two more 60-yarders. Bates received his first taste of the NFL last summer when he joined the Houston Texans. He went undrafted in 2023 out of Arkansas.
Although he was named to the SEC first team, the kicker was dismissed after just a short training camp stint with the club. The Lions’ kicking room already has Michael Badgley and rookie James Turner, and Bates will be joining them.
After two consecutive missed extra points by Riley Patterson (in three games), Badgley was brought in as a replacement after last season. Badgley kicked four field goals and 13 of 15 extra points during the regular season. In Detroit’s two postseason games, he made three field goals (one from beyond 50 yards) and 11 extra points.
