The Detroit Lons made a surprising move to release kicker Michael Badgley last Thursday. But it also seemed likely he would not have to wait long for a new opportunity, as other teams simply entertain options for their own kicker battles.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Monday night, the Washington Commanders were set to sign Badgley after he came in for a workout earlier in the day. He will now compete with incumbent Joey Slye for the kicking job there.
Badgley went 20-of-24 on field goals and 33-for-33 on extra points for the Lions last year. Add in his one game for the Chicago Bears, and he went 24-for-28 on field goals (85.7 percent) last season.
The Lions are down to Riley Patterson and All-XFL kicker John Parker Romo in their kicker battle. For now anyway, as a notable addition should not be ruled out. Head coach Dan Campbell said they saw Patterson and Badgley as similar players, with Romo as more of a wild card as they want to get a closer look at the remaining two guys.
Could Michael Badgley still wind up back with the Lions?
Immediately after he was let go, there was certainly a scenario (unlikely as it seems) where Badgley ends up back with the Lions before Week 1.
But Slye feels ripe to be replaced as Washington's kicker. In his first full season for them last year, he went 25-for-30 on field goals; which is fine (83.3 percent). But he also missed four extra points, adding to a career tally of missed point-afters that's now at 15. It's fair to say he's got a stronger leg than Badgley, with 27 field goal attempts from 50-plus yards out in four NFL seasons, but Slye's inconsistency last year had the Commanders open to other options.
So Badgley's odds, again however slim they were, to end up back as the Lions' kicker this year are now a little slimmer. He may have to fall flat on his face to not win the job in Washington.