The Los Angeles Rams will begin their 2024 season in the same way they closed the previous season: with a Sunday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
While much will remain the same for this highly anticipated clash, such as the duel between quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff following the 2021 trade that brought their careers together, both clubs may face one change: kicker.
The Rams selected Stanford’s Joshua Karty in the sixth round of this spring’s NFL Draft. LA is still looking for a reliable kicker after Matt Gay signed a big-time free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts after the 2022 season. The Rams began last season with Brett Maher before cutting him.
Meanwhile, the Lions have recruited one of the most sought-after kickers in the market, UFL standout Jake Bates. Bates most recently kicked for the Michigan Panthers and demonstrated his ability to strike from distance, converting his longest attempt of the season from 64 yards. Bates also piqued the curiosity of the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers. He will compete with Michael Badgley, a former Los Angeles Chargers kicker, for the full-time position in Detroit.
It’s possible that a field goal will be the difference in the Lions’ season opener against the Rams, and the outcome might be decided by a fresh face on either squad. Could we see Karty under pressure to score a game-winner on his rookie debut? Will Bates’ ability to produce big kicks in the UFL translate to the NFL? He’ll need to first beat out the veteran for the job, but the kicker showdown appears to be one of several storylines to follow as Week 1 approaches.
Do you believe in Joshua Karty for the Rams? Would you have liked to see the team pursue Jake Bates? Let us debate in the comments section below.
