The Detroit Lions announced on Wednesday that kicker Jake Bates has officially re-signed with the team for the 2026 season.
The extension was expected, given the fact that the Lions tendered him an ERFA deal (exclusive rights free agent). This offer presented Bates with the option of either signing for the one-year minimum salary of $.075M or sitting out the NFL season.
For Michigan Panthers and UFL fans, it’s another proud chapter in the Jake Bates story to see the same player who electrified Ford Field with a 64-yard game-winner for the Panthers to continue to play in Ford Field, but at the NFL level. That was tied for the 2nd-longest field goal in pro football history, and the ball was promptly given residence in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bates was originally signed by the Lions to a 2-year, $1.98M deal after his breakout UFL season. Bates went 26 of 29 in field goals with 6 from beyond 50 yards. 2025 saw him make 27 of his 34 with 4 from beyond 50. He had more misses from beyond 50 yards last season, but did improve in his extra point accuracy, which was 54 of 56 last season.
Bates will need to wait another year for the prospect of a big-money contract. If he can continue to be dangerous from great distances, then there will likely be several NFL teams interested in paying a premium for his services come 2027.