In the first half of an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, August 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Jake Bates (49), of the Houston Texans, is applauded following his extra-point conversion against the New England Patriots.
The University of Michigan kicker James Turner was cut by the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, and UFL kicker Jake Bates, who most recently played for the Michigan Panthers, was signed. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN NFL Insider, Bates will earn a signing bonus of $100,000 and a guaranteed sum of up to $1.98 million over the course of a two-year contract.
Bates made 17 of his 22 field goals this past spring while playing for the Panthers, including three that were 60 yards or longer, including a 64-yard game-winning kick. In addition, he was 7/11 on field goals that were 50 yards or more out and 7/7 on those that were 40–49 yards away. He hadn’t tried a field goal in a game since high school before to his UFL stint.
Bates made two of his three extra-point tries in a preseason game for the Houston Texans prior to playing in the UFL. He kicked for two seasons at Texas State and one at Arkansas before beginning his professional career.
In 2022, Bates, a senior kick-off specialist for the Razorbacks, led the conference with an average of 64.47 yards per kickoff, which placed fourth nationally. This achievement earned him First-Team All-SEC recognition from the league’s coaches. Bates topped the nation in touchback % (64/75) that season and successfully recovered the lone onside kick he attempted while playing for Arkansas.
Along with Michael Badgely, the lone other kicker on the Lions roster who has made 24 of his 28 attempts in 16 games during the previous two seasons, Bates will battle for the starting kicker position. Reserving all rights for Scripps Media, Inc. until 2024. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
