Jake Bates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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The Detroit Lions have added another former UFL star with the signing of Michigan Panthers cornerback D.J. Miller. The Lions have added former Panthers players before, as it's where they found their star kicker, Jake Bates.

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / August 3

Lions' Jake Bates Talks Second-Year Growth

As Jake Bates prepares for his second season in the NFL, the Detroit Lions kicker is entering the year with a clear mindset, focused on increasing his level of reliability. Following a rookie campaign in which he converted 26-of-29 field-goal opportunities, Bates appears even more focused on the job at hand.

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / July 17

Lions Believe Kicker Can Be 'One of the Best' Who Ever Played

Detroit Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp is quite enamored with the team's place kicker. Jake Bates, who went from a soccer player to a brick salesman, eventually worked his way to the Lions' roster after excelling in the United Football League.

Russell Wilson News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '450-passing yards, three touchdowns in a loss' quiz

How many of the quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 450 yards and three touchdowns in one game and still lose can you name in five minutes?

The 'NFL passing yards-per-game leaders' quiz

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The 'Super Bowl touchdown pass leaders' quiz

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / July 13

All-NFC North Team: Lions' Kicker Impresses in First NFL Season

The Detroit Lions found a much-needed answer at the kicker position last year, and the team benefitted greatly. Jake Bates gave the team a reliable and consistent option, and hit several big kicks for the Lions throughout the 2024 season.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The 25 most memorable Monday Night Football moments

Another NFL season means more potentially memorable moments from Monday Night Football. Here are 25 of the most notable to date.

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / June 29

What Jake Bates Learned From Jason Hanson at Rocket Classic

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates had an opportunity to play alongside Jason Hanson during a Pro-Am at the 2025 Rocket Classic. Also playing in the group were Lions specialists Jack Fox and Hogan Hatton.

Detroit Lions News / Side Lion Report / June 25

Standout UFL defender could become Lions' next Jake Bates if given a chance

The Detroit Lions have thought outside of the box the last few years while building their roster, and continue to prove there is more than one way to build a championship level team.

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / May 25

Lions' Jake Bates Faces Big Test in 2025 With Seven Outdoor Games

The Detroit Lions found a gem in former UFL kicker Jake Bates. After not attempting a field goal in college and returning home to sell bricks in Texas, Bates found his way to the UFL's Michigan Panthers and became a sensation after drilling several long kicks.

Best UFL players for the Detroit Lions after Week 1 of the 2025 season, including Michigan Panthers DB

Around this time last year, Detroit Lions fans found themselves glued to the TV to watch a kid from the UFL captivate the football world. That kid, of course, was Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates.

NFL News / Arkansas Razorbacks on SI / January 12

Seven Former Razorbacks Have Qualified for NFL Playoffs

Jake Bates is resting his valuable right leg this weekend as the NFL playoffs begin with a slate of six games. Bates is one of seven former Arkansas Razorbacks whose teams qualified for the post-season tournament that includes 14 teams.

Detroit Lions News / Side Lion Report / January 10

Jake Bates reveals moment that turned around his record-setting season

When Michael Badgley went down early in training camp with a hamstring injury, Jake Bates became the only kicker on the Detroit Lions' roster. An up-and-down run in camp invited the idea competition should be added, but the coaching staff stuck with him knowing there would be ups and downs.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL quarterbacks from the 2000s who you already forgot about

As years go by, it's easy to forget some of the players who suited up on the gridiron. While the quarterback is the one position in the NFL that is under

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / January 9

Jake Bates Has Visions of Glory Ahead of NFL Playoffs

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates does not want to make any moments bigger than they what actually are. Staying grounded and focused on the present has been a beneficial mindset for the former UFL kicker.

Detroit Lions News / Detroit Lions on SI / December 31

Jake Bates Becomes Internet Sensation For Sensual Stretching

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates became an internet sensation during Monday Night Football. Bates emerged onto the scene prior to the 2024 season when he was able to successfully make a 64-yard game-winner for the Michigan Panthers.

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The 'NFL's three-passing TD game leaders' quiz

The 'FBS animal teams' quiz

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The '200-passing yards in first 20 NFL games' quiz

Detroit Lions News / Athlon Sports / December 30

Kicker Jake Bates Made Lions History During 'Monday Night Football'

The Detroit Lions went into halftime trailing the San Francisco 49ers, 21-13. However, Dan Campbell's team came out firing on all cylinders. The Lions scored a touchdown via a Sam LaPorta reception and converted the two-point conversion to tie it at 21. Then, Jake Bates hit a 57-yard field goal, followed by an Amon-Ra St.

NFL News / Athlon Sports / December 6

Detroit Lions Kicker Jake Bates Shares Heartfelt Message After Big Win vs. Green Bay Packers

The Detroit Lions won their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Green Bay Packers in familiar fashion as kicker Jake Bates, the former brick salesman from the Houston, Texas area, strode onto the field and kicked an eventual game-winning field goal through the uprights at Ford Field.

Detroit Lions News / Side Lion Report / December 5

Lions kicker Jake Bates wins NFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates missed his first field goal of the season in Week 13, but it did not diminish what he did over the entire month. On Thursday, he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November.

Detroit Lions News / Athlon Sports / November 13

Lions' Jake Bates named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has been named Week 10's NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Bates was clutch in the fourth quarter during Detroit's

Detroit Lions News / NFL on ClutchPoints / November 11

Video shows Lions’ fans silencing plane’s flight attendant during Jake Bates’ game-winning kick

Detroit Lions fans unite! During the critical seconds before Jake Bates’ game-winning field goal attempt against the Houston Texans on Sunday night, a plane full of Lions fans is locked into the game.

Detroit Lions News / NFL on ClutchPoints / November 11

Who is Jake Bates, the former brick salesman turned Lions hero?

Jake Bates’ athletic career didn’t begin as a kicker, but he is now the hero for the Detroit Lions after Week 10. The Lions were in a deep hole against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football, but their offense rallied in the second half.

NFL News / Yardbarker / November 11

'SNF' takeaways: Lions rally to beat Texans despite Jared Goff's five picks

Despite five interceptions from quarterback Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to knock off the Houston Texans 26-23 on "Sunday Night Football."

Watch: Lions kicker Jake Bates makes two 50-yard FGs in wild comeback win over Texans

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The 'Highest completion percentage in a game' quiz

Detroit Lions News / Field Level Media / November 11

Jake Bates hits winning FG as Lions rally past Texans

Jake Bates kicked a 52-yard field goal just inside the left upright as time expired and the Detroit Lions overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to record a 26-23 victory over the host Houston Texans on Sunday night.

NFL News / Yardbarker / November 10

Watch: Jake Bates squeaks two field goals in win vs. Texans

Watch: Lions kicker Jake Bates makes two 50-yard field goals in wild comeback win over Texans

Detroit escaped "Sunday Night Football" with an improbable 26-23 win on a walk-off field goal from kicker Jake Bates.

Jared Goff stat shows why he deserves to be in MVP conversation

Trading for three-time Pro Bowler plugs one of Lions' biggest roster holes

Members of Lions secondary get recognized with cool honor at Ford Field

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NFL News / LWOSports.com / October 25

How The UFL Has Made An Impact In The NFL

Lions OC Ben Johnson not about to run out of trick plays

Watch: Commanders LB Dante Fowler notches first-career pick-six vs. Panthers

The 'Detroit Lions quarterbacks' quiz

NFL News / Pro Football Rumors / June 14, 2024

Lions expected to sign UFL kicker

He previously received interest from a few NFL teams, but because of his contract with the UFL squad, he was unable to sign with anyone until the team’s season came to an end.

Lions' Terrion Arnold had good reason for pedestrian 40-yard dash time

Lions' Dan Campbell sends warning to rest of NFL

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The 'Recent seasons with 1,000 receiving yards' quiz

NFL News / Pro Football Rumors / June 11, 2024