Kicker Jake Bates made long field goals look routine during his United Football League career with the Michigan Panthers, and he has continued that during his stint with the Detroit Lions thus far.
After knocking through a 53-yard field goal in preseason Week 1, and then smashing a 64-yard field goal just days later, Bates was back at it again versus the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason Week 2.
Early in the second quarter, the Lions' drive stalled and Bates' number was called for a 55-yard field goal. And, as we've become accustomed to seeing him do, Bates drilled the long field goal with ease, and with room to spare.
Jake Bates from 5⃣5⃣❗️#DETvsKC | 📺 Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/cVAxJP5H0B
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 17, 2024
Bates is now 2-for-2 on the preseason and continues to build momentum. After his preseason debut last week, head coach Dan Campbell revealed that the team gave Bates a vote of confidence after he had some struggles in training camp.
He added that the team's belief in Bates has led to the team not adding another kicker to compete with him in the wake of Michael Badgley's season-ending injury.
“It was good to see Jake hit that field goal — 53 yarder with the rain right down the pipes," Campbell said after the preseason opener, per Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. "We told him after the scrimmage the other day, ‘We’re sticking with you. We’re going to give you a chance to grow here. Let’s see how you respond.’ He was told that, (Dave) Fipp told him, I told him, and so I thought it was encouraging.”
So far, Bates has repaid the coaching staff's faith in him. Now, he's got to keep it up in order to keep his stranglehold on the starting job.