The Baltimore Ravens have drafted a kicker, marking a significant decision for the franchise that has not faced this scenario in 30 years. This decision comes after some pretty damning allegations towards seven-time Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker. Now, sixteen massage therapists from eight high-end spas and wellness centers have accused him of indecent exposure and other sexual misconduct. Those allegations have transformed Tucker’s future with the program into a daily question mark, particularly after he publicly fibbed about the claims in detail…not once, but twice.
At 35 years old, Justin Tucker experienced the most challenging season of his storied 13-year career a year ago. He ultimately missed 10 kicks, a devastating blip on an otherwise successful story. His struggles have led to speculation on whether he can remain the Ravens’ primary kicker going forward. The Ravens selected Arizona’s Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the NFL draft, which intensifies speculation regarding Tucker’s tenure with the organization.
Team officials said they would evaluate Tucker’s situation once the NFL concludes an investigation into the allegations, which could take months or longer. Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta didn’t hide from the fact that Tucker’s future was up in the air. He stated, “I think that right now they’re both on the roster,” referring to both Tucker and Loop. He emphasized that he does not have a timeline for when a decision will be made regarding Tucker, adding, “I haven’t really thought about that at this point.”
If the Ravens decide to part ways with Tucker, they would likely need to designate him as a post-June-1 cut. This strategy allows the team to spread his $7.5 million dead money across two years. It opens up $4.2 million in salary cap room for this year.
Loop expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to compete with Tucker, saying, “I think it’s really exciting more than pressure, just because it gives you something to shoot for, right? We always want to be improving. We always want to be chasing perfection and learning how to adjust well and make kicks.” He continued to say that he respects lots of Tucker’s game and hopes to learn from him.
DeCosta acknowledged that the team did evaluate a number of kickers this spring. They felt Loop was the best option on the board and considered him draftable. He remarked, “We’ve told you guys multiple times this spring that we would look at kickers, and so for us it’s like any other position.”
As the Ravens gear up for the 2023 season, Tucker’s performance in next few weeks will be under close scrutiny. DeCosta said that Tucker’s leg will be re-examined soon. How well they do on this assessment will go a long way toward determining what’s next for the team.
Leave a Reply