The Green Bay Packers are losing out to the Detroit Lions on a highly-coveted free agent. The Lions are set to add another player who can help put points on the board in the upcoming season. With OTAs completed this week, teams are prepping their 90-man rosters for training camp next month.
Anders Carlson is competing for his job this summer
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
The Packers have an important position battle going on at kicker. Anders Carlson struggled in his rookie season with the Packers. This offseason, the Packers brought in former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph and undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny to challenge Carlson for a roster spot.
The Green Bay Packers had an interest in Jake Bates
The Packers didn’t appear satisfied with those three when a report surfaced that they requested to visit with UFL star Jake Bates. As previously discussed on WSH, the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Lions requested to meet with Bates this week:
Bates had a stellar year for the Michigan Panthers. He went 17/22 on field goals during the regular season. His long was from 64 yards. The Arkansas standout was initially signed by the Houston Texans in 2023 but was released during training camp last year.
Bates had a lot of use during the Panthers’ 31-18 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday. He went 4/6 on field goals, including nailing a 53-yard kick. Bates did have a miscue on a kickoff in the second quarter. He kicked the ball out of bounds following a score, which would give the Stallions the ball at the 50-yard line. The Stallions would score a touchdown on the next play.
The Detroit Lions are set to sign Bates
According to Aaron Wilson with KPRC, the Lions are set to sign Bates next week:
Michigan Panthers standout kicker Jake Bates, a Tomball graduate who was with the Texans during training camp last year, is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions when UFL players can officially sign Tuesday, according to league sources.
Bates visited the Lions, Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders and had interest from three other NFL teams, per sources.
Bates could have been a great option for the Packers in training camp. The Packers clearly believe they need an upgrade at kicker from last season, and they’re not fully satisfying with what they’ve seen this spring. We’ll see if they make another aggressive move to land a kicker before the preseason.
Related: Matt LaFleur sends wake-up call to rookie Jordan Morgan
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