Jake Bates: UFL kicker and Lions target is back to his superhuman ways

Mike Moraitis

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Jake Bates: UFL kicker and Lions target is back to his superhuman ways image

Michigan Panthers kicker and potential Detroit Lions free-agent target, Jake Bates, was back to looking superhuman once again in the UFL Week 6 game against the Arlington Renegades on Sunday afternoon.

Bates, who has been an absolute unit and has made long field goals look elementary after makes from 64, 62, 55 and 52 yards, had a bit of a rough go of it last week after missing two very long field goals (his first misses of the season), one from 58 and one from 62. He did rebound later in the game with a 30-yarder, though.

Of course, context is important when it comes to last week. Despite some of the absurdly long field goals he's made so far this year, Bates is actually human and humans aren't typically expected to make kicks from that long. Adding to that, it was his first outdoor game of the year and there was wind to deal with, adding to the idea that those misses were hardly a stain on his sterling 2024 record.

Whatever the case may be, Bates returned to form on Sunday against the Renegades and once again showed he's a unicorn.

MORE: Jake Bates talks NFL interest

His first attempt of the afternoon came from 55 yards out, and he easily made it as one Jake Bates does, splitting the uprights. Unfortunately for us Jake Bates "stans" out there, the field goal was called back because of an offside on the defense, which gave the Panthers a first down.

A few plays later, Bates was tasked with making a 43-yarder, which is a chip shot for the Arkansas product. As you'd expect, it was good.

Here's the one from 55 that was called back:

And the one from 43 that counted:

At the end of the first half, Bates was once again tasked with making an insanely long field goal, this time from 60 yards out — and the man absolutely crushed it.

But Bates wasn't done there. He went on to make three more field goals in the second half, including a 49-yarder and then the game-winner as time expired from 42 yards out, making him a perfect 5-for-5 on the day.

The Lions have reportedly expressed interest in Bates, although they have since signed a kicker in undrafted free agent and Michigan product, James Turner, who will now compete with Michael Badgley.

But that should not prevent Detroit from bringing in Bates, who is quickly proving he's a force to be reckoned with in Ford Field, as all but one of his 12 field goal makes — including all three 60-yarders — have come at Detroit's home venue.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.