Will Rams face Lions’ new kicker and UFL standout Jake Bates in Week 1?
The Los Angeles Rams will start their 2024 campaign in the same fashion the prior season ended: taking on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday Night Football.
While much will be the same for this highly anticipated matchup—like the duel between quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff after the 2021 trade that closely tied their careers together—there is one potential change on the horizon for both teams: kicker.
The Rams drafted Stanford’s Joshua Karty in the sixth round of this spring’s NFL Draft. LA is still in search of stability at the kicker position after losing Matt Gay to a big-time free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts after the 2022 season. The Rams started last year with Brett Maher before cutting him in favor of Lucas Havrisik, but by season’s end they returned to Maher. Karty seems as accurate as they come within 50 yards, though it remains to be seen whether he can transition to the professional level or if there will be growing pains.
Meanwhile the Lions just added one of the most sought after kickers on the market in UFL standout Jake Bates. Bates most recently kicked for the Michigan Panthers and flashed the ability to hit from distance—converting his longest attempt of the season at 64 yards. Bates also drew interest from the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers. He’ll compete with former Los Angeles Chargers kicker Michael Badgley for the full-time role with Detroit.
UFL kicker Jake Bates is signing a two-year deal this week with the Detroit Lions, per his agent Marty Magid. Bates visited the Lions, Packers and Commanders and opted to stay in Michigan, where he kicked in the UFL. His longest field this season was from 64 yards. pic.twitter.com/YY2sgMmFGB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2024
It’s very possible that a field goal is the difference in the season opener between the Lions and Rams, and the outcome of that game could come down to a new face for either team. Could we see Karty pressured to make a game-winner in his rookie debut? Will Bates’ ability to nail big-time kicks in the UFL make the jump to the NFL? He’ll need to first win the job from the veteran, but the kicker matchup seems to be one of many story lines to watch as Week 1 fast approaches.
Do you have confidence in Joshua Karty for the Rams? Would you have liked to see the team make a run at signing Jake Bates? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
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