The Commanders are on the hunt for a new kicker after cutting Brandon McManus, and they are considering a pair of UFL kickers as potential options. According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, the Commanders will be working out Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates and St. Louis Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt.
Bates had an impressive record in 2024, making three field goals of 60 yards or longer, including a 64-yarder. However, his head coach, Mike Nolan, raised concerns during the season that other teams were contacting Bates in violation of the league’s rules. McManus, who was signed earlier this year, was released by the Commanders just nine days after being sued for sexual assault by a pair of flight attendants.
The Commanders will be closely evaluating both kickers during their workouts to determine who will best fit their needs for the upcoming season. Bates had a brief stint with the Texans during training camp in 2023, while Szmyt spent time with the Bears last year. Szmyt is a talented kicker, having won the Lou Groza award as the best kicker in college football in 2018 as a freshman. The Commanders need to find someone who can consistently hit long field goals and handle pressure situations on the field.
