Last season, the Detroit Lions were the top-scoring offense in the entire NFL. While much of the attention goes to the skill position players, as it should, the Lions' kicking game deserves credit too. In 2024, Detroit was ranked eighth in field goal percentage (89.7%) and 19th in extra point percentage (95.5%), thanks to new arrival Jake Bates.
Bates had an interesting journey to the NFL, which he reflected on when he visited the West Michigan Church on Sunday. During this interview, Bates admitted that growing up, he wanted to be a soccer player in the Premier League, but once he realized that wouldn't be a possibility, he was unsure what he wanted to do.
Bates said, "I remember when I got out of college, and friends are starting to get married and starting to buy houses, and they're starting their careers, working to their job and and I'm sitting at home drinking coffee at 10 a.m. with my mom, and like, I have no idea where my life is going, for real,"
While Bates was unable to live out his dream as a professional soccer player, his kicking skills did end up earning him a job in the NFL.
Lions Kicker Jake Bates Reflects on His Long Journey to Success in the NFL
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bates signed with the Houston Texans, but was released prior to final roster cut day. Though he failed to land on an NFL practice squad for the 2023 season, Bates did sign with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL in December.
With the Panthers, Bates made 77.3% of his field goals. His biggest accomplishment was drilling a 64-yard game-winning field goal, which still holds the record for the longest in UFL history. Bates' big leg was a huge reason that Detroit signed him to a two-year deal last offseason.
The icing on the cake was seeing his growth in field goal percentage in his first season in the NFL. Bates' journey to NFL success proves it's okay to feel directionless as long as you have the drive to work hard once you find your calling.
With a full season of NFL experience behind him, it'd be no surprise if Bates is even better in 2025 for the Lions.