UFL star Jake Bates probably earns the Lions kicker job with 4 of 4 field goals on the day

Perhaps no player has contributed more to reviving his career in the UFL than Jake Bates.

Bates, a kicker who made three field goals of 60 yards or more with the Michigan Panthers this spring, earned a spot on the Lions' preseason roster and now appears to have earned the job as the Lions' regular-season kicker.

Today, Bates kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired in the Lions' season-ending win over the Chiefs, hitting 4 of 4 field goals, including one from 55 yards. Bates missed an extra point, but the Lions value his strong leg, and he now looks set to be Detroit's kicker when the regular season begins.

When Bates signed, he was expected to compete with Michael Badgley for the job, but Badgley suffered a season-ending injury and the Lions don't have any other kickers on the roster. If Bates had struggled in the preseason, the Lions probably would have brought in another kicker, but after Bates' successful preseason performance, the job seems to be his.