In the wake of cutting Brandon McManus, the Commanders are in search of a new kicker. Two UFL kickers are currently being considered: Jake Bates from the Michigan Panthers and Andre Szmyt from the St. Louis Battlehawks. Bates had an impressive 2024 season, making three field goals of 60 yards or more, including a 64-yarder. However, his head coach, Mike Nolan, expressed concerns about teams contacting Bates in violation of league rules during the season.
On the other hand, McManus was signed by the Commanders earlier this year but was released nine days after facing a lawsuit for sexual assault by a pair of flight attendants. Szmyt spent time with the Bears last year and has an impressive college football record, winning the Lou Groza award for the best kicker in 2018 as a freshman. The Commanders will likely be paying close attention to the performance of both Bates and Szmyt during their upcoming workout.
The decision on who to sign will be crucial for the Commanders as they look to strengthen their kicking unit. Both Bates and Szmyt have unique strengths and weaknesses that need to be evaluated before making a final choice. Ultimately, it will come down to which kicker can consistently perform at a high level and help guide the team towards success on the field.
