Kicker Jake Bates grew to become a hero over the primary weekend of UFL soccer motion.
Together with his Michigan Panthers trailing the St. Louis Battlehawks, 16-15, with simply seconds left within the recreation, Bates drilled a 64-yard aim to offer the Panthers the win.
Not solely was it a clutch kick, however this factor did not simply squeak by the uprights. Bates boomed it, and within the course of, he bought himself on the radar for a number of kicker-hungry NFL groups.
And admittedly, there is no purpose the Inexperienced Bay Packers should not be amongst them. In reality, the Pack ought to simply go forward and submit a contract over to Bates’ agent earlier than this factor will get away from them.
The Packers signed veteran Greg Joseph earlier this offseason to create competitors for soon-to-be second-year kicker Anders Carlson, however frankly, does both kicker encourage confidence for what’s in any other case shaping as much as be a Tremendous Bowl-contending roster?
Joseph has made 100-of-121 NFL area targets over 5 seasons however he is primarily a journeyman, having kicked for the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and most not too long ago, the Minnesota Vikings for the previous three seasons. Sure, he discovered his place in Minnesota, however nice kickers haven’t got that many groups below their belt at simply 29 years previous.
Talking of nice kickers, Carlson has the leg to be an ideal kicker and that is why the Packers spent a sixth-round decide on him in 2023. With that mentioned, his accuracy is questionable. He hit simply 27-of-33 area targets final season and he missed method too many additional factors (34-of-39).
Carlson was simply 3-of-5 from 50 yards-plus, and his lengthy area aim was solely 53 yards.
Bates’ lengthy is formally over 10 yards extra, and certain, it occurred within the UFL, however a protracted kick is a protracted kick irrespective of the way it shakes out.
If the Packers need to be severe at kicker, that is the transfer. Signal Bates and at the very least add him into the competitors this offseason.
Could one of the best kicker win.
