Lions veteran has become undeniable and leaves Brad Holmes with easy decision

In Week 7, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates set a new standard for the franchise by making his third-career field goal of 58-plus yards and his second of the season. With his latest kick, he became the first kicker in franchise history to make two field goals of 58-plus in a single season.

Since Bates' emergence from the UFL, where he made a 64-yard field goal as a member of the Michigan Panthers, he earned himself a two-year contract in 2024 worth $1.98 million, set to expire at the end of the 2025 season.

Bates has converted 34 of 40 field goals (8-of-11 in 2025) and 91 of 94 extra-point tries (27-of-27 in 2025) since joining Detroit last season. Bates has been one of the NFL's strongest kickers from beyond 50 yards, and if it weren't for fellow former spring football kicker Brandon Aubrey, he could have been in line to reset the market for kickers.

Lions have an easy decision on Jake Bates' future with the team

With Bates rising to one of the premier specialists in the NFL, he should be in line for at least a multi-year deal with guaranteed money. Historically, the Lions had Jason Hanson handle the position from 1992 to 2012, before transitioning to Matt Prater from 2014 to 2020.

Since the Lions left Prater walk, the team has seen six kickers play, including Riley Patterson (20 games), Austin Seibert (nine), Ryan Santoso (three), Aldrick Rosas (one), Michael Badgley (16), and Dominik Eberle (one). That doesn't include the five other kickers brought in to compete from 2021 to 2023.

With 10 more games left in the season, Bates has plenty of time to strengthen his position in an effort to earn a more lucrative deal for himself. Bates was almost out of football in 2024, working as a brick salesman at one point, but it's extremely likely that he could be in line for a minimum $3 million-per-year extension.