Lions kicker whose UFL pedigree turned into one of the NFL's most powerful legs.
Jake Bates kicked in the UFL spring league before signing with Detroit in 2024. His 64-yard field goal in Week 5 of his rookie year announced his arrival, and 2025 confirmed it. The Lions' 14-3 record included multiple late-game wins that turned on Bates' leg from 50-plus yards.
Path to the league
Texas-Arlington and Arkansas-Pine Bluff product who went undrafted in 2023. Made 19 of 23 FGs in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers, including a 64-yarder. Signed with Detroit in August 2024 to replace Michael Badgley.
Career highlights
2025 Pro Bowl. 64-yard FG as a rookie (tied for fifth longest in NFL history at the time). 88.5 career FG percentage. Longest game-winning FG in Lions history (60 yards vs Bears 2024).
2025 season recap
29 of 33 FGs, 6 of 7 from 50+, 53 of 54 extra points. Detroit went 14-3 and reached the NFC Championship. Bates's 56-yarder in OT beat Green Bay on Thanksgiving.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jake Bates
- Pro Football Reference: Jake Bates
Statistics
2025 season and career▶Passing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CMP | ATT | YDS | TD | INT | RTG | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | lions | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 | - |
▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | lions | 17 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | lions | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Place Kicker
- Group
- specialTeam
- College
- Arkansas
- Hometown
- Tomball, TX, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
