Re-entering the NFL, Jake Bates plans to stay near the stadium that catapulted him to fame.

After Bates had a successful stint in the United Football League, reports state that he reached a two-year contract agreement with the Detroit Lions. According to agent Marty Magid, Bates signed a $1.98 million contract on Tuesday that includes a $100,000 signing bonus and a $150,000 guarantee.

Bates, a Michigan Panthers All-UFL selection, grabbed national attention when he scored a 64-yard field goal in the first game of the season against the St. Louis Battlehawks. The kick would have been just two yards short of Justin Tucker’s 2022 66-yard field goal, making it the second-longest in NFL history.

Bates, a Tomball High School alumnus and resident of the Houston region, was included in the Texans’ 90-man roster for training camp the previous year. After Houston’s opening preseason matchup with New England, he was waived following Ka’imi Fairbairn’s clearance to resume drills.

In 11 games during the previous UFL season, Bates made 21 of 28 field goals. In addition, he made three kicks from 60 yards or more, the longest of which was 62 yards in a regular-season loss to UFL champion Birmingham.

There were other teams interested in signing Bates besides Detriot. The Arkansas graduate was invited to visit both the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders, but he decided to remain at Ford Field to continue his luck with kicks.

Bates would return to kick on Sunday Night Football when the Lions visit NRG Stadium on November 10 in front of his family and supporters back in Houston, should he make the active squad and defeat Michael Badgley.