Former UFL kicker Jake Bates’ contract details are out. Here’s what it means for his chances to make the Detroit Lions roster.
Ex-Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates will reportedly sign a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday and the details of his contract have been released by multiple members of the media .
Bates burst onto the football scene in his first game in the UFL, connecting on a 64-yard field goal to win the Panthers opening game at Ford Field. He would finish the regular season 17-22, with several other “big leg” kicks over 50 and 60 yards, and was coveted by multiple NFL teams.
The competition for Bates’ services like drove up the price a bit—including him getting a two-year contract—but when looking at the total guarantees included in his contract, he’ll very much have to earn his spot on the Lions roster.
Let’s take a look at how the contract breaks down:
2024 — $895,000
Base salary: $795,000 ($50,000 guaranteed)
Signing bonus: $50,000 (guaranteed)
Roster bonus: $50,000
Cap hit: $895,000
2025 — $1.085 million
Base salary: $960,000
Signing bonus: $50,000 (guaranteed)
Workout bonus: $75,000
Cap hit: $1.085 million
In total, Bates has $150,000 in guaranteed money, regardless of if he makes the Lions roster. But if he does make the roster and sticks for two seasons, he can earn up to $1.98 million in compensation.
To add some perspective on those numbers, the Lions also have two other kickers on the roster, and his contract falls in the middle of the two. Michael Badgley’s one-year contract has a total value of $1.152 million, with $425,000 in guarantees, per OverTheCap . Rookie kicker James Turner has a four-year undrafted free agent contract with a 2024 cap hit of $795,833, and $2,500 in guarantees, per OverTheCap . Furthermore, if Bates was a UDFA (like Turner), his contractual guarantees would place him third in the Lions UDFA rookie class .
Overall, it’s a fair contract for both sides. Bates will get a shot to earn his contract in camp by making the Lions’ 53-man roster, while Detroit wouldn’t suffer too big a cap hit if Bates doesn’t win the job and is released.
Let the kicker battle of 2024 commence.
UPDATE:
The Lions have made the Bates signing official and released Turner in a corresponding move.
#Lions have signed K Jake Bates and waived K James Turner.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 18, 2024