Now, in the wake of new allegations levied against their star kicker Justin Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens are in a tough spot. The allegations Sixteen massage therapists from eight spas and wellness centers in Baltimore have cited Tucker for misconduct. In response to these claims, the NFL has instituted a widespread investigation. The Ravens responded by saying they would defer judgment on Tucker’s future until the investigation has been completed. With this uncertainty, fans and analysts alike are asking who will replace Matt Prater and lead the kicking game for the team.
The Baltimore Banner first reported these gross allegations against Tucker. This adds to a tough stretch for the young kicker. Tucker ended 2024 with a career-low 73.3% field goal percentage. Despite his struggles last season, Tucker holds the NFL records for both the best career field goal percentage at 89.1% and the longest field goal at 66 yards.
As the Ravens weather this stormy spell, they’ve gone on the offensive to make sure their kicking game isn’t a dumpster fire in the meantime. During this year’s NFL Draft, the team made history with the selection of Tyler Loop in the sixth round. He is the first kicker that the franchise has ever drafted in its 30 year history. This week’s move may well be a marker of a long awaited turn away from Tucker, particularly in light of the ongoing and developing scandal surrounding him.
Ravens officials had made their commitment to Tucker clear in previous comments, but now are perhaps out on a fantasy limb. General Manager Eric DeCosta emphasized that there is no definitive completion date to the NFL’s investigation into Tucker’s conduct. The cloud of uncertainty over this issue remains. He stated, “We don’t know of any timeline for the NFL investigation into Justin Tucker’s behavior.”
That uncertainty could even linger into training camp. The Ravens may want to focus on contingency plans for who will be kicking long term. In the past decade, of the 19 kickers drafted, 14 have become their team’s full-time kickers as rookies. None faced the daunting task of replacing someone with Tucker’s caliber.
The Ravens’ rookie minicamp this weekend would surely be a group reclamation event on one end—not just for Tyler Loop, but for the Baltimore organization. This will be Loop’s first opportunity to meet team officials in person and showcase his kicking abilities first-hand. It’s the kind of chance that is ultra important for a young player with a ton to prove at this level.
I would say more exciting than pressure, just because it really does make you have something to reach for, or aim for, correct? Loop had this to say about his opportunity to battle for a spot with the team.
While Tyler Loop’s journey is only starting, he comes in to a lot of pressure due to Tucker’s remarkable tenure. Coach John Harbaugh praised Loop’s dedication and enthusiasm for the sport, stating, “He’s one of these guys [who] is a kicking nerd, and you like to see that.”
Amid these developments, Tucker’s fate remains uncertain. The Ravens now stand in the same spot as the NFL, awaiting the completion of NFL’s own investigation. They’ll have Tucker’s fate hanging over them for months since they won’t decide his future until then. This is a striking departure from how the league handled similar incidents involving other players in the league. Indeed, it took five months for a settlement to be reached in Deshaun Watson’s sexual assault case in 2021.
While kicking great Justin Tucker trains and plans his future, he recently held a private workout at the Ravens’ facility. At various points in the pre-draft process, team brass seemed genuinely intrigued by the idea of drafting a kicker. This indicates they were doing their due diligence long before picking Loop.
Even with a unsure future looming, Tyler Loop seems determined to tackle whatever is next. He expressed his excitement upon receiving the call from Baltimore, stating, “Oh dude, total elation getting the call.”
With the Ravens preparing for another potentially tumultuous training camp, they’ve been preoccupied with keeping a close eye on Tucker’s situation. At the same time, they are perhaps more intently watching Loop’s development as a prospective replacement. The fate of Baltimore’s kicking game is still uncertain as fans will have to stay tuned for more details on this developing saga.
Leave a Reply