The Detroit Lions have confirmed they're sticking with Michael Badgley, securing the kicker with a one-year contract extension. Badgley's signing comes ahead of his impending free agency, which was set for March 13, and it signals continued faith by the team despite some bold play calls in their recent playoff defeat.
The announcement on Thursday, as reported by the CBS News Detroit, ensures the Lions maintain the services of the veteran kicker, wrapping up what has been a carousel of kickers under head coach Dan Campbell. Despite the team passing on two long field goal attempts in their NFC championship game, a detail highlighted by the Detroit Free Press, Campbell asserted that the decision was strategic rather than a reflection of Badgley's prowess. "It's easy hindsight, and I get it," he said, "I get that. But I don’t regret those decisions and that’s hard. That’s hard, because they didn’t, we didn’t come through, it wasn't able to work out, but I don’t. I don’t."
Badgley's journey with the Lions started on the practice squad in 2022, and he later solidified his position by successfully converting all four of his field goal attempts during regular season appearances and hitting a playoff record-tying 54-yarder against the Rams, as recalled by Pride of Detroit. Over his NFL tenure, Badgley has accumulated a field goal success rate by nailing 98 of 119 attempts across multiple teams since his debut in 2018.
Despite this positive trend, the Lions seem open to fostering competition for the kicker role, as they are expected to explore options this spring. Badgley, issued from the practice squad mid-season after a kicking competition, made a strong case for himself by outperforming his peers. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp explained, "Over the course of six weeks, Badgley had been better, and we didn't want to rush to make that decision right away." He added, "We felt like he deserved as fair of an opportunity as we could have given him, but it was clear at the end of the day that he was playing better." With Badgley's efficiency from short distances, but limited attempts from beyond 50 yards, the Lions may still be on the lookout for a kicker who can consistently hit from long-range, per Pride of Detroit.
