A prominent NFL player with $4 million career earnings, secures a new contract with the Detroit Lions after facing unemployment last season.
The Detroit Lions have inked a one-year contract with kicker Michael Badgley, a key player in their recent historic playoff victory, marking the team’s first in over three decades. Badgley, who contributed to the Lions’ playoff success with a notable 54-yard field goal against the Los Angeles Rams, was set to enter unrestricted free agency next month before the Lions secured his return.
Having joined the Lions’ practice squad on August 30 last year following his release by the Tennessee Titans, Badgley was promoted to the active roster in December. With a track record encompassing the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, and the Lions since his NFL debut in 2018, Badgley has an impressive record of 98 successful field goals out of 119 attempts.
During the 2022 season, Badgley served as the Lions’ kicker for 12 games, displaying accuracy by making all four field goals and 13 of 15 extra points in the regular season. His reliable performance continued into the postseason, where he successfully kicked all three field goals and 11 extra points.
Despite a memorable 2023 season that saw the Lions clinch the NFC North with a 12-5 record and secure a historic playoff victory over the Rams, the journey concluded in heartbreak for the team and its fans. The win against the Rams marked the Lions’ first playoff triumph since the 1991 season, evoking emotional scenes among Detroit supporters.
