Detroit Lions set to have some special teams camp competitions

With moves over the last few days, the Detroit Lions are setting up competition for a couple key special teams spots. 

As an acknowledgement of his stabilizing their kicker situation, the Detroit Lions re-signed Michael Badgley last week. It was sure to not be a huge deal or more than one year, so the idea of a kicker competition has lingered.

In the wake of the news they’d signed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Lions also, according to multiple reports, signed long snapper Jake McQuaide on Sunday night. He had a workout with the Lions on Saturday.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC in Houston, McQuaide’s deal is one-year for $1.3 million with a $152,500 signing bonus. He spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, with a torn tricep ending his season in Week 4 last year. He spent 10 seasons with the Rams before that, with two Pro Bowl appearances there as he overlapped with Lions general manager Brad Holmes.

We also have the details of Badgley’s deal. Via Over The Cap, it’s a one-year deal with a $1.08 million base salary, a $152,500 signing bonus and a $1,092,500 cap number.

Detroit Lions lining up special teams competitions during camp

Badgley seems to be a solid fit for Dan Campbell, who likes to go for it on fourth down rather than kick long field goals. He is just 5-for-13 in his career from 50-plus yards out, though he was 2-for-3 from that range with the Lions last season. That said, someone who can make a lengthy kick can be a difference maker, and the Lions may add someone to the kicker competition. The draft class of kickers appears to be deep (Jake Moody, Chad Ryland, B.T. Potter).

Scott Daly had some struggles as the Lions long snapper last season, and that he was given an exclusive rights free agent tender only assures he’ll be on the 90-man roster for offseason work.  McQuaide looks like an upgrade, and he’ll have a chance to win the long-snapping gig.

Ultimately, who serves as the Lions’ kicker and long snapper is not a thing until they fail in a critical moment. But there should be healthy competitions at both spots, possibly deep into training camp and preseason in the case of the potential kicker battle.