The Michigan Panthers won their home opener with a 64-yard field goal in the Detroit Lions house at Ford Field last Sunday. The Lions should sign the Panthers kicker.

Detroit Lions Known for Great Field Goal Kickers in the Past

Leon Halip/Getty Images
Leon Halip/Getty Images
loading...

The Detroit Lions have not been the best team since the late '60s but they sure have had some of the best field goal kickers in NFL history. Jason Hanson still holds the record for most field goals made 40 yards plus out of his amazing 495 career field goals. For most of Hanson's career, it was money when he went to kick a field goal for the Lions.

Dave Reginek/Getty Images
Dave Reginek/Getty Images
loading...

Eddie Murray was the Lion's kicker during the 80s and another reliable kicker. Murray went to two Pro Bowls during his 1980-1991 career in Detroit. Murray won a Super Bowl when he played for the Dallas Cowboys. But ever since Murray and Hanson the Lions have struggled in the kicking department.

Read More: Like the Grit of the Detroit Lions? Now You Can Drink It

Detroit Lions Should Hire the Michigan Panthers Kicker Jake Bates

Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
loading...

The one weapon Lions coach Dan Campbell has not had in his tenure in Detroit so far is a reliable field goal kicker. It wasn't until mid-December that the team settled on Michael Badgley as the kicker. Badgley did pretty well helping them finish the season but I believe the team needs someone more permanent and reliable.

The Michigan Panther's home opener at Ford Field against the St. Lousie Battlehawks came down to a 64-year field goal by Jake Bates giving them the win 18-16. Watch the video of the amazing kick above.

The Detroit Line Facebook Page
The Detroit Line Facebook Page
loading...

According to The Detroit Line Facebook page, the Lions have spoken to Panthers Kicker Jake Bates about being a part of training camp. We will see how this develops moving forward. Bates's 64-yard field goal is the longest of his career in spring football history and the second-longest kick in Ford Field history, behind Justin Tucker's 66-yard field goal in 2021.

The 25 Greatest Detroit Lions of All Time

These are the 25 greatest Detroit Lions of all time, according to Pro Football Reference's Approximate Value ratings.

Gallery Credit: Jacob Harrison

The 10 Biggest Wins in Detroit Lions History

The Detroit Lions have been a snake-bitten franchise in the Super Bowl era. The 2023 season may be the mark of a long-awaited turnaround, springing to mind some of the biggest wins in franchise history.

Gallery Credit: Jacob Harrison