In a move to solidify their kicking game, the Detroit Lions have signed former UFL kicker Jake Bates while also waiving rookie kicker James Turner. The signing of Bates marks the beginning of a two-kicker competition for the Lions as they prepare for training camp.

On Tuesday, the Lions made the official announcement of Bates' signing, accompanied by the decision to waive Turner. The move may have come as a surprise to some, given Turner's impressive performance during OTAs and minicamp, showcasing a strong leg and accuracy in practices open to the media.

The Lions' decision to carry only two kickers into training camp was expected, but choosing between Turner and veteran Michael Badgley posed a challenge. Badgley, who has been with the team for the past two seasons, made several crucial kicks last year, including a 54-yard field goal in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams.

The selection process may have been influenced by the type of kickers the Lions wanted to compete. In a similar situation last year, with the addition of Riley Patterson, the Lions had to decide between John Parker Romo and Badgley. Opting for a wildcard, they chose Romo to have two different styles of kickers battling it out.

Head coach Dan Campbell expressed respect for Badgley but highlighted the desire to give another opportunity to Patterson, believing that both Badgley and Patterson had similar attributes. Eventually, Badgley was re-signed to the practice squad and earned the full-time role midseason after winning a behind-the-scenes competition.

The decision to pit Turner against Bates is an intriguing one, as both kickers possess powerful legs but lack NFL experience. This choice could be seen as a significant risk, given Badgley's six years of professional football experience compared to Turner and Bates' collective total of just two years.

Turner will now enter the waiver wire, with teams having 24 hours to claim him. If unclaimed, he will be free to sign with any NFL team seeking kicking talent.

As the Lions gear up for training camp, the competition between Bates and Badgley is sure to intensify, with both kickers eager to prove their worth and secure the primary kicking role for the upcoming season.