Lions sign UFL kicker Jake Bates to 2-year deal
The Detroit Lions have signed UFL kicker Jake Bates to a two-year contract.
Bates visited the Lions, Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders before he decided to stay in Michigan, where he's played this season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 24-year-old hit a 64-yard game-winning field goal at the start of the season with the Michigan Panthers and ranked second overall in the league with 51 kicking points. He also finished with hitting 21 of 28 field goals.
Bates, a former soccer player, didn't start playing football until he was a senior in high school, later serving as a kickoff specialist at Texas State and Arkansas. He also spent time on the Houston Texans' practice squad in 2023 but never made a regular season appearance.
Detroit already has veteran Michael Badgley and former Michigan kicker James Turner signed on their roster ahead of training camp. Badgley took over late last season for Riley Patterson as consistency at the position has been a challenge for the team over the past several seasons.
The Detroit Free Press reports Lions general manager Brad Holmes previously said he would consider having three kickers on the roster because of the NFL's new kickoff rules that could involve kickers more on making tackles. Two of the kickers would go on the practice squad.
The Lions are expected to make the signing official on Tuesday, the first day he's eligible after the UFL playoffs.
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Jake Bates (49) lines up an extra point kick during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports