Acme Packing Company
One of the UFL’s top prospects, Jake Bates, will reportedly be signing with the Lions next week.
According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Detroit Lions will be signing former UFL kicker Jake Bates when he’s finally available to sign with NFL teams next week. Per Wilson, Bates had interest from the Lions, Green Bay Packers and four other NFL teams.
Bates first popped on the radar for Packers fans on Tuesday, when Green Bay officially requested — along with at least three other teams — to have a visit with the All-UFL placekicker. It appears, though, that Bates — who already played at Ford Field with the Michigan Panthers — will not be traveling much for his next opportunity.
Currently, the Lions have two kickers on their roster: Michael Bagley, who spent most of last season on Detroit’s practice squad, and undrafted rookie James Turner. Now, there will be some added competition to the position.
Bates scored 51 points for the Panthers, which was the second most of any player in the UFL. He was also named to the inaugural All-UFL team in 2024 after he hit 17 of 22 field goal attempts, including several 60-plus-yarders. In total, he was 11 of 12 on kicks under 50 yards, as most of his misses came from long — despite his massive leg.
Without Bates, the Packers have a three-man kicking competition, though, head coach Matt LaFleur wouldn’t commit — one way or another — on if Green Bay would continue to keep all three kickers rostered going into training camp in late July, the next time the Packers will come together. At the moment, Green Bay’s three kickers are 2023 starter Anders Carlson, Greg Joseph — who was the Minnesota Vikings’ starter last year — and Jack Podlesny. Podlesny, a 2023 undrafted free agent, seems to be the third man in the rotation based on minicamp reports.
Keep an eye out on a potential UFL signing coming down the line for the Packers, though, as the UFL’s player will be able to sign with NFL teams on Monday following the UFL’s championship game on Father’s Day. At the moment, Green Bay has one open roster spot and they are reportedly bringing in DC Defenders guard Liam Fornadel, who was an All-XFL player in 2023, on a visit.
