Heroic UFL kicker and Michigan Panther Jake Bates is receiving interest from multiple NFL teams after the recent social media buzz. The United Football League kicked off its season and Bates has been one of the viral names after his last-minute score to give the Panthers their first win. He kicked a 64-yard field goal with just three seconds to spare in the fourth quarter and it has received attention. A kick like that makes NFL teams take notice and Bates was in a historic highlight where he could earn a shot to be a part of the league.
According to a report, the Lions are one of the multiple NFL teams that are reaching out to Bates for a future contract after the spring season. The UFL season runs through June 2 and he could be on his way out of it soon after just a season. Interestingly, his viral kick was his first field goal attempt since High School and he drilled it from a distance that most NFL kickers struggle with. There have been only two field goals in NFL history that have been successful from 64 yards or more.
His kick would be improbable because it was his first attempt and his journey on his path to the NFL might be one to remember. The 24-year-old started his college career at Central Arkansas before transferring to Texas State. He was a kickoff specialist there for two years before moving on again to Arkansas, where he was First-Team All-SEC in 2022. It makes his kick remarkable when considering his story and the Lions probably won’t be the last team expressing interest.
After receiving a multitude of interest from Multiple NFL teams, he could find himself in the league this upcoming fall.
Jake Bates hasn't kicked a meaningful field goal since high school.
He went on to kick back-to-back 64-yard field goals during the UFL's opening weekend 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OHAQI9Lt4b
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 1, 2024
Heroic UFL Kicker Jake Bates Receiving Interest From Multiple NFL Teams
Lions Inquiring About the Viral Kicker
Bates did sign with the Houston Texans in August of 2023 when he played in one preseason game against the Patriots. He was waived two days later after going two of three on extra points. The Lions are bringing Bates in to bring more competition at the kicker position this offseason. However, they did re-sign kicker Michael Badgley in February, but he has been struggling from a long distance.
He initially lost the kicker competition last offseason before gaining the job back midseason. He went four-for-four on field goals and three-for-three in the playoffs. The current Michigan Panthers general manager Steve Kazor worked alongside Lions general manager Brad Holmes for several years with the Los Angeles Rams. Bates’ kick is the second-longest kick in Ford Field history and it’s obvious it won’t be his last.
The Lions are probably going to need a guy like Bates to help them in game-winning drives, especially if it comes down to the last seconds of a championship game. His clutch abilities are something that the Lions could bring in while putting in Badgley could be risky.
His Abilities Don’t Come Around Often
A leg of this magnitude doesn’t come around often and there’s already proof that this isn’t the first time a kicker transitioned from one league to another. Former USFL Brandon Aubrey jumped shipped to the NFL to sign a contract with the Dallas Cowboys to have an All-Pro rookie season. This provides stability that Bates can walk in an NFL minicamp to make a name for himself on day one to work out for the Lions.
It won’t be the last team to reach out to Bates, the Packers are expected to contact him. Green Bay recently signed Greg Joseph to create competition for the position and for second-year kicker Anders Carlson. Adding someone like Bates could spark an all-out competition throughout the first day of the season.
