The playoffs have a way of revealing truths teams can sometimes hide during the regular season. For the Detroit Lions, one of those truths came quietly — but clearly — at the kicker position.
Jake Bates has been a great story. From unexpected opportunity to earning trust during the season, he gave the Lions stability when they needed it most. But the postseason brought a different level of pressure, and it exposed why Detroit can’t afford to treat the kicking situation as “settled.”
January Football Leaves No Margin for Error
In the playoffs, every point matters. Every missed opportunity is magnified. And while Bates has plenty of leg strength, the postseason highlighted concerns about consistency and reliability under maximum pressure.
These aren’t overreactions — they’re realities of playoff football.
Detroit found itself in moments where:
Field goals weren’t automatic
Confidence wavered in longer attempts
Decision-making became more complicated due to uncertainty
That kind of hesitation can change how aggressively a team calls games — something that goes directly against Dan Campbell’s identity.
Trust Is Everything for a Contending Team
For a Super Bowl contender, the kicker isn’t just a specialist — he’s a safety net. Coaches need to know that points are there when drives stall. The playoffs made it clear that the Lions don’t yet have that level of trust.
That doesn’t mean Bates can’t improve. It doesn’t mean he can’t be the guy. But it does mean Detroit would be irresponsible not to take a serious look at the position this offseason.
Why This Matters Going Forward
Detroit’s window is open right now. The roster is strong, the culture is established, and expectations are sky-high. In that environment, unanswered questions — especially at kicker — become liabilities.
The Lions don’t need drama at the position. They need certainty.
Whether that means:
Bringing in competition
Adding a veteran presence
Or forcing Bates to clearly win the job
One thing is obvious after the playoffs: standing pat isn’t good enough.
The Bigger Picture
Great teams don’t wait for special teams issues to cost them championships. They act early. The Lions have done an outstanding job building this roster — but the postseason showed that even small cracks can grow when the stakes rise.
Jake Bates may still be part of the future. But the playoffs sent a message Detroit can’t ignore.
Bottom Line
January football is unforgiving. And the Lions learned that relying on hope at kicker is a gamble they can’t afford.
If Detroit truly wants to take the next step, addressing the Jake Bates situation — honestly and aggressively — has to be part of the plan.
Playoffs Expose Growing Jake Bates Problem Lions Can’t Ignor
