Jake Bates, who drilled multiple 60+ yards field goals in UFL, signs a two-year deal with the Lions

The Lions edge out other teams like the Packers and Commanders to finalize a deal with Jake Bates.

Jake Bates, who drilled multiple 60+ yards field goals in UFL, signs a two-year deal with the Lions

Jake Bates signs with the Detroit Lions (Image via IMAGO)

Jake Bates gets another bite at the cherry. The soccer player turned kicker/ field goal specialist has agreed a deal with the Detroit Lions.

KPRC2 reporter Aaron Wilson first broke the news which was later confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bates’ agent Marty Magid met with the Lions’ general manager Steve Kazor to discuss the details of the contract which will be official next week.

The Lions edged out the likes of the Green Bay Packers who wanted competition for Anders Carlson, who had a rough 2023. However, the Lions seemed a better place for Bates because, for the past 8 months, he was playing for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL and lives in the area.

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Jake Bates’ success in the UFL earns him another chance in the NFL

The 24-year-old played college soccer at Texas State but decided to switch jobs and take up kicking in football. He then moved to Arkansas and made it into the All-SECG team in 2022. Bates announced for the NFL draft but remained a free agent until the Houston Texans picked him up.

Jake Bates, who drilled multiple 60+ yards field goals in UFL, signs a two-year deal with the Lions
Jake Bates during his Texans days (Image via IMAGO)

However, he was waived off soon after the preseason in which he kicked off four times while converting 2 of 3 extra points. The Texans did not allow him to take a field goal.

Bates opted to sign with the Michigan Panthers in the newly formed UFL. He was one of the several kickers the league allowed to take in because of the new kickoff rule which required the ball to go 80 yards for a touchback-15 yards longer than both college football and the NFL.

The league lit up when he dispatched a 64-yard field goal winner in the opening game behind only the Ravens’ Justin Tucker’s record-breaking 66 yards to beat the Lions at Ford Field in 2021. Bates continued that form in the next games converting from 60 and 62 yards and finishing the season with 17 field goals from 22 attempts.

Will Bates be the starter for the Lions?

Since Matt Prater left in 2021, the Lions have struggled to find stability in the kicker position. They went through six different players in just three years.

Veteran kicker Michael Badgley who has a conversion rate of 85.7% remains the favorite to take the most reps during the training. The Lions also took James Turner who won the 2023 CFP championship with the Michigan Wolverines. Bates will have to prove himself once again but this time he perhaps will not be cut before a proper chance.

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