Two weeks ago, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes stated that the organization planned to provide competition and instruction to its kicker room.
“We’ll still look at adding another kicker to the practice squad,” Holmes informed me. “Guy that had a little bit more experience.”
The Lions appear to have found their guy. Greg Joseph, a veteran kicker, will join the Lions’ practice squad, according to his agent.
Joseph made his professional debut in 2018 as an undrafted rookie. He had a successful season with the Cleveland Browns, making 17 of 20 kicks, including all 11 tries from 20 to 39 yards. However, the following year, rookie fifth-round pick Austin Seibert beat him out.
Joseph eventually found a stable home with the Minnesota Vikings. He was their kicker in every game from 2021 to 2023. During that period, he made 83 of 101 field goals (82.2%) and 90.3% of his extra points, with a long kick of 61 yards. Over his career, he has had mixed results with long-distance kicking, converting on 16 of 28 kicks from 50 yards or beyond.
Joseph was hired by the Green Bay Packers after the Vikings declined to re-sign him last year. He made the team’s initial 53-man roster, however he barely lasted a day before being replaced by rookie Brayden Narveson following cutdowns.
At this point, there is no reason to believe that incumbent Lions kicker Jake Bates will lose his job. The Lions have been extremely patient with him despite his early problems, and Bates repaid them with a flawless Week 1 performance: 2-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points.
However, having a veteran in the room not only offers the Lions with insurance, but it should also benefit Bates’ development.
The Lions have not yet made the signing public, but they did have a space on their practice squad available after adding DT Chris Smith to the 53-man roster on Saturday (before cutting him on Monday).
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