When the Detroit Lions extended placekicker Jake Bates’s contract, he will stay with the team until 2026. This was a big deal for the team. The Lions will be more stable in the long run thanks to this choice, especially at the kicker spot, which doesn’t get as much attention as it should. In close games, having a dependable kicker can make all the difference. Bates’ dependability gives the Lions a big advantage as they continue to build their team for next season.

The Lions need to get a guy like Bates if they want to be in the running for the playoffs in the next few years. Kicking is one of those jobs that isn’t very exciting but is very important to the result of games. It is very helpful to be able to make field goals, especially when the heat is on. As a result of Bates’ past performance in these types of cases, the Lions have made the smart choice to sign him for a long time.

This new deal also makes it clear to the rest of the team and the fans that the Lions want to build a strong and competitive team. When key roles are stable, like kicker, the coaching staff can focus on other parts of the team, knowing that Bates will reliably handle special teams tasks.

This is good news for Lions fans because it shows that the team wants to not only get better but also plan for long-term success. Bates is now a main player for the Lions for the next few years. They can build their team around him and other important players as they aim for a bright future. It’s an exciting time for both the Lions and their fans.

Dan Campbell wants the Lions to return to ‘Detroit football’ in record-breaking triumph.

Campbell told reporters after the game that he achieved both of his team’s aims on Sunday, as reported by Brad Galli on X.

“The two most important things for me was I wanted to see us play Detroit football, and I wanted to win,” Campbell told ESPN. That was it. I did not provide any further conditions. Now that we had all of the keys to victory, all I wanted to do was see our identity develop and win this game. And we accomplished it, so we’re back on our feet.”

The Lions’ ability to achieve a franchise record most victories in a season is a testament to their effective coaching.

Though Campbell’s first season in Detroit was not very successful, with a 3-13-1 record, he has done an outstanding job of transforming this club into one of the NFC’s dominant forces.

The Lions face a Super Bowl or bust in 2024, as offensive coordinator Ben Johnson may go for his own head coaching position following this season.

Dakota Zientek is an experienced associate editor at ClutchPoints, covering NFL, NCAA Football, and NFL Draft. The Iowa graduate has written for FanSided and the Pro Football Network.