The Detroit Lions are reportedly set to add to their kicker competition, as the team is expected to sign UFL star and Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates in free agency, according to Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Bates' contract is for two years, which on the surface would seem to indicate a fairly sizeable commitment. However, we do not have the full breakdown yet and the devil is always in the details. Chances are the deal will have little to no guaranteed money, which would mean Bates is anything but locked-in.
Bates is coming off an impressive season in which he nailed a whopping seven field goals of 50-plus yards, including three from 60-plus. However, Bates ran into some issues near the end of the campaign, missing 5-of-11 field goals over his last four games (including playoffs), which led to him finishing 21-of-28 (75%) on the year.
Most of Bates' success came at the Lions' home stadium, Ford Field, where he drilled 10-of-11 attempts. Away from Ford Field, Bates was 11-of-17, including 10-of-16 at outdoor venues.
#Lions expected to land UFL standout kicker Jake Bates, per sources, who visited them, #Packers #Commanders and had interest from three other #NFL teams @KPRC2 https://t.co/aLxdmrpq1X
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 14, 2024
Assuming the Lions don't cut ties with one of their current kickers, Bates will be a third entrant into the competition that is currently between UDFA James Turner and veteran Michael Badgley. By all accounts, Turner is winning that competition, with the rookie having outshined Badgley on multiple occasions at practice this offseason.
Bates' leg strength has no doubt been impressive and that makes him an intriguing addition, but he did come back down to Earth over the course of the campaign and proved he is, in fact, human.
He has never kicked in an NFL game after having cups of coffee with the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Bates' overall success rate from his lone UFL season would have ranked tied for 32nd in the NFL last season, so he's no lock to win this competition.
Long story short: Lions fans should be excited about the signing, but don't go writing Bates' name in pen for the starting job just yet.
