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The Detroit Lions bring more competition to the kicker, a name that some fans have been longing for.
The Lions are expected to sign former Michigan Panthers cornerback Jake Bates to a two-year deal on Tuesday, the first day he becomes eligible after the playoffs.
Betts has made 21 of 28 field goals this season and ranks second in the NFL with 51 points. The Lions visited on Thursday. He also visited Washington and Green Bay.
Betts, who played his home games at Ford Field this spring, made a game-winning 64-yard field goal in the Panthers’ season-opening win over the St. Louis Battlehawks, and had two other field goals of more than 60 yards this season. .
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But as good as he was to start the season, Betts made just 6 of 11 field goals in the Panthers’ final four games and missed the game-winning 53-yarder in the Panthers’ regular-season finale loss to Birmingham. Stallions.
The Stallions beat the Panthers the following week in the UFL playoffs.
The Lions return veteran kicker Michael Badgley and sign former Michigan kicker James Turner as an undrafted free agent.
Badgley has made 27 of 31 field goals in parts of the past two seasons for the Lions, but has just three from 50 yards in that span.
Jake Betts hits a 64-yard field goal as the Michigan Panthers win their NFL opener
Jake Betts kicked the game-winning field goal in his professional debut on March 30, 2024.
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Turner showed tremendous leg strength and good accuracy in spring training, but he hasn’t improved on kickoffs like Badgley.
Betts played as a kickoff returner in college and prior to the UFL season had not kicked a field goal in a game since high school.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes told the Free Press this spring that he would consider keeping three kickers, including two on the practice squad, because of new football kickoff rules that could make players more involved in handling kickoffs.
Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on X and Instagram on @devperkit.
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