The Lions made another move to lock in their kicker, and while Jake Bates hasn’t been perfect, he’s been automatic when it matters most. Detroit is betting that clutch performance outweighs inconsistency — and the numbers tell an interesting story.
The Detroit Lions made a pair of roster moves Tuesday, continuing to shape their special teams and offensive line depth ahead of the 2026 season. Detroit signed offensive lineman Ben Bartch and re-signed kicker Jake Bates, while also losing offensive lineman Kayode Awosika, who agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams.
Bates’ return is the more notable move, as the Lions continue to invest in a kicker who has quickly built a reputation for reliability in key moments. Bates originally joined Detroit in 2024 after a standout stint with the Michigan Panthers, who played their home games at Ford Field. During his time with the Panthers, Bates gained national attention by drilling a 65-yard, game-winning field goal, a moment that put him firmly on the Lions’ radar and ultimately led to his signing.
After two seasons in Detroit, the Lions saw enough to bring Bates back, valuing both his consistency on extra points and his ability to deliver in clutch situations.
In 2025, Bates posted a Pro Football Focus field goal grade of 85.1 while converting 27 of 34 field goal attempts. He also led the league in total extra points made, going 54-for-56 on PATs. From a distance breakdown standpoint, Bates was nearly automatic inside 40 yards, going a combined 14-for-14 from 20 to 39 yards. He connected on 9 of 11 attempts from 40 to 49 yards but showed some inconsistency from long range, converting just 4 of 9 attempts from 50 yards or more. He did, however, set a new career long of 59 yards during the season.
One notable concern from his 2025 campaign was a dip in overall field goal percentage, which dropped by 10.3% compared to his 2024 season. That regression — particularly from 50-plus yards — is an area the Lions will likely monitor closely moving forward.
Bates also had limited opportunities in high-pressure moments during the 2025 season but capitalized when called upon. In Week 18, he drilled a 42-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the Chicago Bears, accounting for his lone game-tying or game-winning attempt of the season.
Kickoffs remain an area for improvement. Bates ranked 33rd out of 41 qualified kickers in kickoff performance, with opponents averaging a starting field position around the 30-yard line, placing him near the bottom third of the league. This is a clear weakness in an otherwise average overall profile.
In contrast, Bates’ 2024 season was arguably his best to date. He earned a 91.0 field goal grade, ranking fourth in the league, and converted 89.7% of his field goal attempts. He was particularly effective from long distance, hitting 6 of 8 attempts from 50 yards or more. Bates also made 95.5% of his extra points that season.
Several clutch moments highlighted his 2024 campaign. In the season opener against the Rams, Bates converted a 32-yard field goal to force overtime, helping propel Detroit to a win. In Week 10 against the Houston Texans, he delivered one of his most memorable performances, hitting a 58-yard field goal, then a career long, to tie the game before knocking through a 52-yard game-winner as time expired. He later added another game-winning kick against the Green Bay Packers, converting a 35-yarder at the buzzer. Bates also hit the game winner to beat the Vikings and win the division for back to back years for the first time in franchise history.
Overall, Bates has established himself as an average kicker with a knack for delivering in clutch situations. Across his time with Detroit, he is 10-for-17 (59%) on field goals from 50 yards or more, which falls below the 2025 league average of roughly 71%. However, his perfect record in high-pressure kicks, going 6-for-6 on potential game-tying or game-winning attempts underscores his value.
For a Lions team that plays aggressively and often relies on late-game execution, Bates provides a steady presence. While there are still areas to refine, particularly on kickoffs and long-range consistency, Detroit clearly believes his best football is still ahead.