Since the UFL season began, Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates has been on the Detroit Lions’ radar. Fans looking for a serious competition for incumbent kicker Michael Badgley, especially since the Panthers play their home games at Ford Field, have had Bates on their radar for months.
Last weekend, the Panthers advanced to the USFL conference championship game, where they were defeated by the Birmingham Stallions despite having a lead. UFL players cannot sign with NFL clubs until the league’s season ends on June 17, but there have already been stories of teams showing interest in UFL players, and the Lions should be among them.
It’s inevitable Bates would draw interest from NFL teams, and the Lions would inevitably be one of those teams. According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Lions are indeed among four teams who have requested a visit with Bates. The Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders have done so as well.
Could Jakes Bates come in take the kicking gig for the Lions?
The Bates buzz faded during the course of the UFL season as his performance dipped. He missed two field goals late in the aforementioned defeat to the Stallions and finished 20-for-27 (one blocked). In accordance with Bates’ drop-off, certain other UFL kickers (Andre Szmyt, Matthew McCrane) have been mentioned as possible candidates for the Lions. And, as Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports highlighted, ESPN announcers said that Bates appeared to be injured during the game against Birmingham.
Undrafted rookie kicker James Turner took a big step to assert himself as legit competition with Badgley by outdoing the veteran during mandatory minicamp. Compared to a couple months ago, it feels increasingly unlikely Bates will come in and stake a significant claim to be the Lions’ kicker.
But it still makes sense for the Lions to get a look at Bates when they can, in a “no stone unturned” sense. There’s just no denying the shine on him is not as bright as it was.
