The Baltimore Ravens might have a kicker problem. Tyler Loop’s shaky 2026 preseason debut made that increasingly more concerning.
Loop went 1-for-2 in the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, which included a miss from 49 yards out. He rebounded nicely with a 42-yard make, but the pressure of in-game situations seem to get in the second-year pro’s head a bit.
Currently, he’s the only kicker on Baltimore's roster. Let’s be real, though: at what point do you think about bringing in competition for Loop? It doesn’t have to be a kicker who would kick Loop to the curb—it’s just that adding a challenge could light a new fire under Loop.
Here are three kickers who could make sense for the Ravens to sign and compete with Loop in training camp and preseason.
Kickers who could challenge Tyler Loop in Baltimore Ravens training camp
Matt Prater
Ol’ reliable. Prater is 42 years old and would be entering his 20th NFL season if he continues playing, and over his last two seasons has made 24 of his last 26 field goal attempts. How can you argue with that kind of production?
Well, the issue with Prater is that age. He also suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee (his plant leg) in 2024. It’s quite possible that injuries, or at least lower-body soreness, pile up a bit this late in his career.
Regardless, Prater was very good last year with the Buffalo Bills, and as Ravens fans know, he was clutch, too. That’s clutch factor is an element that Tyler Loop didn’t really show in his rookie campaign. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, signing an experienced kicker like Prater could boost their odds in 2026.
Graham Gano
This would probably be strictly a mentor-focused move. Graham Gano has 17 years of experience under his belt, but it appears you can’t trust him to be your kicker for a full season anymore. He’s dealt with significant injuries for three straight seasons.
Gano could outkick Loop, but the most important point of a move like this would be to bring in someone for the former Arizona Wildcat to learn from. The only competitor that Loop has had in his NFL career is 2025 undrafted free agent John Hoyland; there hasn’t really been anyone to guide Loop through the trials and tribulations that come with being in the pros.
Gano’s experience could propel Loop into taking those next steps. Kicking is both a physical and mental game, and Gano clearly has/had the talent to conquer both phases.
Signing the 39-year-old would also be a cool full-circle moment, as Gano was signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He didn’t make the team, but having briefly worked with kicking guru Randy Brown, he understands what it means to kick in Charm City. Maybe he could pass that wealth of knowledge down to Loop, while simultaneously making a push for the kicker gig.
Daniel Carlson
Loop has struggled to hit field goals from distance in the early stages of his professional career. If you want upside and a guy with a booming leg, Daniel Carlson fits the bill.
Right now, Carlson isn’t the kicker he used to be. He hasn’t made at least 90% of his kicks in a season since his 2022 All-Pro campaign, and in 2025, he went 22-for-27 on field goal attempts (81.5%). Baltimore could be a great place for the 31-year-old to get his career back on track, though.
As fans know, the Ravens have had a very successful history with kickers. Justin Tucker and Matt Stover are all-time greats, and even the likes of Gano, Stephen Hauschka, and Wil Lutz have gotten some help from the team’s kicking lab early in their careers. If Loop’s problems persist, Carlson could make for a high-upside replacement, and at the very least, a strong competitor in camp.
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