Michael Badgley Bio
Michael Badgley, nicknamed “the Money Badger,” is an American professional football placekicker currently playing for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Born on July 28, 1995, in Summit, New Jersey, Badgley developed into a versatile athlete during his high school years before becoming one of the most accurate kickers in college football at the University of Miami. After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts and has since built a journeyman career spanning multiple franchises, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills. Badgley has established himself as a reliable kicker with a strong leg, holding several franchise records and earning conference recognition throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Michael Badgley grew up in Summit, New Jersey, where he attended Summit High School and became a three-sport athlete. He excelled at hockey, lacrosse, and football, winning state championships in each sport during his high school career. Badgley captured consecutive NJSIAA state lacrosse championships in 2010 and 2011, while also earning a state hockey championship at the Prudential Center in 2012. Initially, he planned to pursue collegiate lacrosse and follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Peter Badgley, who was a Division I lacrosse goalie at Providence College. However, a coach convinced Badgley that he possessed the talent to play football at the Division I level, redirecting his athletic trajectory.
On the football field at Summit High School, Badgley was a standout performer who played multiple positions. He served as a defensive back, running back, return specialist, and occasionally filled in at quarterback due to injuries to the starting signal-caller. During his senior season in 2012, he led Summit to a perfect 12-0 record and the New Jersey State Football Championship at MetLife Stadium under head coach John Liberato. Badgley set 12 Summit High School football records, including a career longest field goal of 49 yards, most kicking points in a season with 84, and most consecutive extra points with 67. He scored in 34 consecutive games and accumulated 389 career points, placing him second all-time in school history. His exceptional performance earned him Star-Ledger Player of the Year honors in Union County in 2012.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from Summit High School, Badgley attended Fork Union Military Academy’s post-graduate program, where he played under head coach Col. John Shuman. At Fork Union, Badgley excelled academically, earning a spot on the Dean’s List, while establishing himself as the No. 1 ranked kicker in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He connected on a 58-yard field goal during his time at Fork Union, demonstrating the powerful leg that would define his professional career. The academy has a history of producing notable NFL players, including Vinny Testaverde and Eddie George.
Badgley then enrolled at the University of Miami, where he played for the Miami Hurricanes from 2014 to 2017. He immediately made an impact as a true freshman, earning the starting kicker position and holding it throughout his entire collegiate career. Badgley left Miami as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 403 points, a record that still stands. He also holds the school record for career field goals with 77. In his senior season of 2017, Badgley was named team captain, first-team All-ACC, recipient of the Walter Kichefski Award, and the University of Miami Special Teams MVP. Following his collegiate career, he received invitations to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, further establishing his credentials as a professional prospect.
Michael Badgley Career
Indianapolis Colts (2018)
Despite his impressive collegiate resume, Badgley went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, where he had the opportunity to work alongside veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri during the preseason. Vinatieri, a future Hall of Famer, praised Badgley’s abilities, stating that he had a nice leg and was doing a great job learning the craft. During the preseason, Badgley connected on all five of his field goal attempts, including a long of 51 yards. However, the Colts ultimately released him before the regular season began, choosing to keep Vinatieri as their kicker. Badgley was waived on September 1, 2018, but his performance had attracted attention from other teams around the league.
Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2018-2020)
The Los Angeles Chargers signed Badgley to their roster on October 11, 2018. He made his NFL debut in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, converting all five extra point attempts and his one field goal attempt in the 38-14 victory. His first significant test came the following week against the Tennessee Titans, where he made two field goals and two extra points in a narrow 20-19 win. Badgley’s breakout moment arrived in Week 13 during a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After missing a 52-yard attempt on the game’s opening possession, he bounced back remarkably, hitting the game-winning 29-yard field goal to secure a 33-30 victory. The following week against Cincinnati, he connected on four field goals from 59, 31, 32, and 46 yards during a 26-21 win. The 59-yarder set a new Chargers franchise record for longest field goal, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Badgley’s rookie season reached its pinnacle during the 2018 AFC Wildcard playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. He went four-for-four on field goal attempts in the first half, becoming only the third kicker in NFL history to accomplish that feat in a playoff game. The Chargers defeated the Ravens 23-17, and Badgley rewrote the Chargers postseason record books with five field goals and 15 points in a single postseason game. He was subsequently named the league’s top special teams rookie for the 2018 season. At the conclusion of the 2020 season, his first complete NFL season, Badgley had scored 238 regular-season points for the Chargers, ranking 19th in franchise history. The Chargers waived Badgley on August 31, 2021, after three seasons with the team.
Journeyman Years (2021-2024)
Following his release from the Chargers, Badgley’s career became characterized by frequent team changes. He signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on September 10, 2021, but was waived just three days later. On October 14, 2021, he returned to the Indianapolis Colts, joining their practice squad. When starting kicker Rodrigo Blankenship suffered an injury in Week 6, Badgley was elevated to the active roster and made all five of his kicks that week, earning a permanent spot on the roster. He finished the 2021 season with the Colts, making 18 of 21 field goals and a perfect 39 of 39 extra points. In 2022, Badgley had brief stints with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. He signed with Chicago’s practice squad on October 1, was elevated for one game against the New York Giants where he made all four field goal attempts, and was then released. He joined Detroit’s practice squad on October 5, was promoted to the active roster later that month, and finished the season making 24 of 28 field goals and a perfect 33 of 33 extra points, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 13.
The 2023 season saw Badgley continue his journeyman path with stops at the Washington Commanders and a return to the Tennessee Titans, but neither lasted more than a few weeks. He returned to the Detroit Lions in August 2023 and became a key contributor during their playoff run. Badgley hit a 54-yard game-winning field goal in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Rams, securing a 24-23 victory. He followed that with a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals and 11-of-11 on extra points during the postseason, helping the Lions advance to the NFC Championship. On February 22, 2024, Badgley re-signed with the Lions. However, he suffered a torn hamstring on July 26, 2024, and was placed on injured reserve, missing the entire season. Despite his absence, the Lions finished as the NFC’s top seed with a 15-2 record.
Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills (2025)
On October 7, 2025, Badgley signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ active roster following a season-ending injury to Spencer Shrader. He appeared in games through early December before being waived on December 2, 2025, after missing a crucial extra point attempt in Week 13 against the Houston Texans. The Buffalo Bills signed Badgley to their practice squad on December 16, 2025, following an injury to Matt Prater. He was elevated from the practice squad for a game against the Cleveland Browns on December 20, converting his only field goal attempt from 41 yards in a 23-20 victory. Badgley missed an extra point in that game and another the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles. After the Eagles’ victory, the Bills released him on December 29, 2025.
Michael Badgley Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Michael Badgley has established himself as a reliable kicker with a strong leg and clutch performance ability. His career statistics include 109 field goals made on 131 attempts for an 83.2% conversion rate, along with 188 extra points made on 200 attempts at a 94% rate. He has accumulated 515 career points across the regular season. His career longest field goal is 59 yards, achieved during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. Badgley has earned multiple AFC and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and was recognized as the league’s top special teams rookie in 2018.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
Badgley’s most productive and memorable stretch came with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2018 to 2020. He joined the team mid-season in 2018 and made an immediate impact, helping the Chargers secure a playoff berth. His most notable achievement during his Chargers tenure was setting the franchise record for longest field goal at 59 yards, accomplished against the Cincinnati Bengals. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice during his rookie season. In the 2018 playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens, Badgley delivered a historic performance, going 4-for-4 on field goals in the first half and finishing with five field goals and 15 points, both franchise postseason records. Over three seasons with the Chargers, he scored 238 regular-season points and became the 19th leading scorer in team history. His 2020 season marked his first complete NFL season, solidifying his reputation as a reliable kicker.
Detroit Lions and Playoff Success
Badgley’s time with the Detroit Lions featured two stints, with his most significant contributions coming during the 2023 season and playoffs. In the regular season, he made 24 of 28 field goal attempts (85.7%) and was perfect on 33 extra point attempts, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 13. During the Lions’ playoff run, Badgley delivered when it mattered most. His 54-yard game-winning field goal in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Rams secured a 24-23 victory and propelled Detroit to the Divisional Round. He continued his stellar postseason play, going a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals and 11-of-11 on extra points throughout the playoffs, helping the Lions reach the NFC Championship game. His clutch kicking performances established him as a reliable option in high-pressure situations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Michael Badgley’s journeyman career, with the veteran kicker signing with three different teams. His season began with the Indianapolis Colts in October 2025 after Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending injury. Badgley provided stability at the position but was waived in early December following a crucial missed extra point against the Houston Texans. He then joined the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in mid-December when Matt Prater was injured. Badgley was elevated for games against the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, converting his field goal attempts but struggling with extra points. The Bills ultimately released him at the end of December as they evaluated their kicking situation. Throughout the 2025 season, Badgley demonstrated his ability to remain ready despite limited practice time with new teams, a hallmark of his resilience as a professional kicker in the NFL.