Dan Campbell’s lack of faith in his kicker may have lost the Detroit Lions the opportunity to win the NFC championship game last season. The team is hoping that one of the UFL’s breakout stars will be able to remedy that issue.
The Lions signed Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates for a two-year contract. Bates’ representative notified ESPN’s Adam Schefter about the contract, following visits to the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers. Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV in Houston was the first to reveal Bates’ move to Detroit.
Bates, 24, scored 64- and 62-yard field goals for the Panthers this season. Matt Prater of the Arizona Cardinals was the only NFL kicker to hit a 62-yarder in a Week 3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last season. In 2021, Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens set an NFL record with a 66-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions.
Bates signed free agent contracts with the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, but was released by both.
During the NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Campbell chose to go for it on fourth down twice instead of allowing kicker Michael Badgely to attempt 46- and 48-yard field goals. Detroit failed to convert on both attempts, resulting in a 34-31 defeat.
The Lions already had two kickers on their roster: Badgely and rookie free agent James Turner. Badgely went 4-for-4 on field goals and 13-for-15 on extra points, but his longest kick was from 41 yards. He joined Detroit when Riley Patterson was released after 13 games.
Despite his strong leg, Bates was not the most accurate kicker, converting 77% (17-for-22) of his field goals for the Panthers. However, all five of his misses were from 50 yards or further. It’s probable that Detroit will keep him for kickoffs and field goals beyond 50 yards. However, roster spots are limited, and the Lions may not want to devote two of them to placekickers.
Bates was a kickoff specialist in college, having played at Arkansas, Texas State, and Central Arkansas. He also played soccer. Early in the UFL season, he made 60-yard field goals, his first since high school.
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