For the first time in over a decade, someone not named Justin Tucker will be Baltimore’s kicker in Week 1. The Ravens officially released Tucker on Monday, ending a 13-year run and opening the door for sixth-round rookie Tyler Loop to take over the job.
Loop was already under the spotlight the moment the Ravens selected him with the 186th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—the first time in franchise history they’ve drafted a kicker. Now, the spotlight just got a lot brighter. Tucker’s release leaves more than just an open roster spot—it leaves a very high standard that Loop now has to meet. And he'll be expected to meet them on Day 1.
The rookie out of Arizona now has a chance to do what most kickers only dream of: start immediately on a contender. It’s the beginning of a new era, and all eyes are on Loop to prove he’s ready.
Tyler Loop brings consistency, leg strength, and a fresh identity to Ravens special teams
Loop’s college career was built on consistency. After transitioning from punter to placekicker at Arizona, he quickly established himself as one of the most reliable legs in the country. He finished with a school-record 83.8% field goal percentage, converting 67 of 80 attempts and going nearly perfect on extra points, drilling 98.4% of his point after attempts.
His final season saw him drill a program-record 62-yarder, helping him earn a 2025 NFL Combine invite and eventually the attention of Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton. Baltimore saw enough to make Loop the first kicker they’ve ever drafted—clearly not just for competition purposes.
While some viewed Loop as insurance amid the NFL’s ongoing investigation into allegations against Tucker, the Ravens insisted this was strictly a football decision. Even before Tucker’s release, John Harbaugh made it clear: Loop was here to compete. That competition? It’s over. Now he’s got the job.
He’ll be easy to spot, too—Loop will wear No. 33, the same number he wore at Arizona. It’s an unusual number for a kicker, but it fits a player already making Ravens history.
Loop brings a meticulous approach to his craft—Harbaugh called him a “kicking nerd,” which in Baltimore is a high compliment not given out lightly. He’s handled tough weather in the Pac-12, he’s made kicks under pressure, and he’s fully embraced the idea of kicking in the AFC North.
Replacing a future Hall of Famer isn’t just a challenge. It’s a responsibility. Loop’s got the leg, the mindset, and now, the opportunity. The job is his. Now we find out if he can hold onto it. Baltimore’s hoping he’ll be an upgrade over their all-time points leader. That’s a big leg to fill—and he better be ready. He can’t afford to fall flat. Eric DeCosta made a football decision. Now it’s on Loop to prove it was the right one.