After he came in and stabilized a situation that had been almost comically a revolving door during the 2022 season, the Detroit Lions re-signed kicker Michael Badgley last offseason. Still, it felt like there could have or even should have been competition, or an outright replacement, added.
That "competition" came via John Parker Romo, who was signed after having just kicked in the XFL. Last May, Riley Patterson was re-acquired in a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Patterson beat Badgley out for the job in camp, and after cycling through the Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans Badgley came back to the Lions' practice squad. He eventually took over late in the regular season, after Patterson had gotten a little wobbly.
Badgley's limitations from long distance and outdoors were not a thing, until they were a thing in the NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers. Dan Campbell might have gone for it anyway on a couple controversial fourth downs, but having zero confidence in his kicker in those situations made it a moot point.
In a move that wasn't really that surprising, the Lions have re-signed Badgley.
Brad Holmes puts Michael Badgley on notice right away
During his appearance on 97.1 The Ticket Monday morning, Lions' general manager Brad Holmes talked about Badgley (h/t to SI.com).
"Badgley, he's done a nice job. He's been clutch throughout his career. He's done what we've needed to do, so he's been good," Holmes said. "Now, with all positions, there will be competitions. And Badgley understands that, he knows there will be competition. But right now, I understand that he did a nice job, he signed, but he's still gonna have competition."
Badgley did make a franchise playoff record-long 54-yard field goal against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, providing what proved to be decisive points in the Lions' win. But to broadly call him "clutch throughout his career" is a reach.
It also isn't the first time Holmes tried to talk himself into having confidence in a kicker. He did the same thing with Patterson just before last season started.
However, it is good to hear Holmes immediately say Badgley will have competition. The obvious question is what the competition will look like. But Holmes surely realizes it has to be someone with a legit chance to beat out a kicker who is ripe to be replaced.