Detroit Lions bring back kicker Michael Badgley after solid 2022 season

Michael Badgley stabilized the Detroit Lions’ kicker situation last season, and the team has re-signed him.

After a season-plus of seeming to go through kickers faster than some people change underwear, the Detroit Lions signed Michael Badgley. It’s safe to say he stabilized the situation, going 33-for-33 on extra points and 20-for-24 on field goals over 12 games for them last season. He also kicked in one game for the Chicago Bears in 2022.

A little over a week ago, via Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press, Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp hinted at the team perusing the list of free agent kickers. There certainly were, and still are, some interesting options out there.

But on Friday morning, Badgley’s agent revealed he has agreed to a new deal with the Lions. Terms have not yet been disclosed, but it’s probably not more than a one-year deal and not noticeable big money.

Michael Badgley returning to the Detroit Lions isn’t a be-all, end-all at kicker

Badgley became a needed pillar of stability at kicker for the Lions last season, which they had been searching for since losing Matt Prater. But that doesn’t mean he’s immune to competition, and it’s fair to assume some sort of competition will be added before training camp.

It’s not that Badgley is on thin ice as soon as the ink is dry on his contract. But many Lions fans have professed their want for the team to draft Michigan kicker Jake Moody in April, and drafting a kicker is broadly still not out of the question.

While he may have to really fall flat on his face during camp, preseason games, etc., it’s not a 100 percent certainty Badgley is the Lions’ kicker come Week 1 in September. He simply earned an opportunity to be back with his performance last seaso. And he is the early front runner for the placekicking job, as the Lions continue to like rewarding people when it fits.