The Detroit Lions have their placekicker going into next season, reportedly agreeing to terms with Michael Badgley, according to Badgley’s agent Brian McLaughlin (Twitter). Badgley made the Lions his fifth team in as many years last season and impressed the team enough down the stretch to earn a new contract for 2023.
Badgley initially signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Miami (FL), leaving Coral Gables as the Hurricanes all-time leader in points scored and field goals made. He struggled to stay on the field in his first two seasons but impressed as a rookie converting 15 of his 16 attempted field goals and 27 of 28 extra point attempts while earning the nickname of Money Badger. His sophomore season was nearly as impressive as he only missed three field goals and made all of his extra points.
A rough 2020 season that would see him miss nine field goals and three extra points would lead to a position battle in camp. The Chargers waived the young kicker after he failed to beat out Tristan Vizcaino in a camp kicking competition. Vizcaino wouldn’t last long in Los Angeles after missing five extra points the next season. Badgley would rebound, signing to the Titans’ practice squad and appearing in one game for Tennessee.
After getting waived by Tennessee, Badgley would win a kicking competition in Indianapolis, beating out Brett Maher, Aldrick Rosas, and Riley Patterson for a backup position behind an injured Rodrigo Blankenship. He would finish the season for the Indianapolis Colts after Blankenship was placed on injured reserve, missing only three field goals and making all 39 of his extra point attempts.
Badgley started 2022 as a free agent and eventually signed with the Chicago Bears as Cairo Santos was away from the team for personal reasons. He would only play one game for Chicago but would make all four field goals he would attempt in the game. Badgley was released the following week but quickly picked up by the Lions.
With Austin Seibert battling a groin injury and backup kicker Dominik Eberle struggling, Badgley took hold of the kicking job. He finished the year for the Lions, converting 24 of 28 field goal attempts and making all 33 of his extra points.
Since the departure of long-time kicker Matt Prater, the Lions kicking position has been in flux. The team will hope that Badgley can add a touch of stability to a position that has lacked it in the last few years.
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