Big-footed UFL kicker Jake Bates was signed by the Detroit Lions to a two-year deal, according to his agent Marty Magid, who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Magid informed Schefter on Tuesday that Bates had signed a $1.98 million contract that includes a $100,000 signing bonus and a guaranteed sum of $150,000.

With 17 field goals for the Michigan Panthers this season, Bates, 24, was rated second in the UFL. This includes a game-winning 64-yard kick in the season opener over the St. Louis Battlehawks—just two yards short of the NFL record set by Justin Tucker—in the game.

Bates, a former soccer player, didn’t start playing football until he was a senior in high school. He was a kickoff specialist in college at Texas State and Arkansas. That was his first kick in a game.

When Bates decided to remain in Michigan, he went to see the Packers, Lions, and Commanders.

Florida—Despite having recently agreed to the greatest contract in team history, which includes the third-highest fully guaranteed salary in NFL history, Trevor Lawrence claimed he is not under any more pressure.

Win a Super Bowl is still his mission, just as it was when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him first overall in 2021.

“I guess on the outside, there’s going to be a bigger expectation with the long-term deal, being the franchise quarterback and having the contract,” Lawrence said on Thursday. “Playing quarterback in this league is pressure anyway.” It could alter the perspective of others. However, I believe that I have already assumed some of that obligation.

I am aware that the club moves on and that starting quarterback in this league carries a lot of responsibility. I won’t put any more strain on myself because of this deal, therefore. What I expect of myself and what the team wants of me is pretty much unchanged.”

Lawrence’s five-year extension, which begins in 2026 and includes a $37.5 million signing bonus, will pay him $55 million annually, tying Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the largest average annual salary in NFL history. Lawrence’s fully guaranteed $142 million is the second-highest salary in the league, behind only Burrow ($146.5 million) and Deshaun Watson ($230 million) of the Cleveland Browns.

Lawrence will make $1.055 million in 2024 and $25.67 million in 2025 while playing on the fifth-year option prior to the start of the extension. The two parties had been in negotiations for months, with Lawrence hoping for a deal before training camp started on July 24. Ultimately, on June 13, they came to an understanding.

Having finished it does feel fantastic, Lawrence remarked. “That was a goal that [the Jaguars] and myself and my team wanted to get done is to have it finished by the time training camp came around so we could just put everything towards this year and getting ready to go bring a championship here.”

Lawrence added that he approves of the way the franchise is going. The Jaguars added receiver Christian Kirk, running back Travis Etienne Jr., tight end Evan Engram, and wide Gabe Davis via free agency. They also selected receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23 in the first round. To bolster a defence that already had linebacker Foye Oluokun, pass rushers Josh Allen and Trevor Walker, and safety Darnell Savage, the Jaguars also added defensive tackle Aaron Armstead and cornerback Ronald Darby.

In 2022, Lawrence guided the Jaguars to the AFC South title. He also helped the team overcome a 27-0 hole to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in a wild-card playoff game before falling short against the Chiefs in a divisional round.

In 2023, Lawrence guided the Jaguars to an 8-3 start. However, during the last six weeks of the season, he suffered from ankle, shoulder, and concussion injuries. As a result, the club finished 1-5 and missed the playoffs.