The Detroit Lions had a very successful 2023 season, going 12-5 and winning their first playoff game since the 1991 campaign.
That success took them to the NFC Championship Game, where they blew a 17-point lead and lost to the San Francisco 49ers, but they may still have some room for improvement.
Per Dov Kleiman, they have re-signed kicker Michael Badgley to a one-year contract.
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: #Lions Kicker Michael Badgley re-signs on a 1-year deal, per @bd_mclaughlin pic.twitter.com/uOiNTrZCrR
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 22, 2024
Badgley appeared in four regular-season games for Detroit, making all four of his field goal attempts and 13 of his 15 extra-point tries.
In this year’s playoffs, he was perfect on both field goal and extra-point kicks.
He began the season on Detroit’s practice squad, but he was promoted to the first string after they parted ways with Riley Patterson.
Badgley had previously spent most of the 2022 season with the team, and in 12 games with them, he was 20 of 24 on field goals while making all 33 of his extra-point attempts.
The Lions released him in July, only to bring him back just over a month later.
They largely have a young team on both sides of the football, including studs such as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson.
However, the question is whether quarterback Jared Goff, who threw for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, can raise his game and become a true championship quarterback.
At the very least, the Lions have to be considered the favorite to win the NFC North again in 2024, even though the division will likely be more competitive.
NEXT: Lions Are Releasing Veteran Safety