The Baltimore Ravens have several intense position battles taking place in this year’s training camp, but perhaps the most high-profile one is the kicking competition. Rookies Tyler Loop and John Hoyland are competing for the team’s kicking job, but they are also tasked with replacing an all-time great.
Justin Tucker kicked for the Ravens for 13 years and, along with being the most accurate kicker in NFL history, was a clutch weapon Baltimore could turn to with confidence. After a career-worst season and an offseason of sexual assault allegations, the team parted ways with him. Now, Loop and Hoyland are being thrown into the fire.
Loop was a sixth-round pick out of Arizona in the 2025 NFL Draft. Following his selection, the front office and coaching staff had nothing but glowing reports about his potential. He possesses a booming leg and could add consistency from range, which the Ravens lacked during the end of Tucker’s tenure.
On the other hand, Hoyland was an undrafted signing. He kicked for five years with the Wyoming Cowboys, finishing his collegiate career with a 79.3 field goal percentage. He also missed just one extra point in 148 attempts. He might not have as strong a leg as Loop, but Hoyland has performed incredibly in offseason activities.
The two were in a deadlock heading into training camp. Hoyland may have had the upper hand, being the more consistent of the two, but with Loop’s draft pick pedigree, he would have to blow Loop away to win the spot. Following the first week of camp, that has not been the case.
In a recent article for The Baltimore Banner, Jonas Shaffer and Giana Han highlighted the kicking competition that took place across the first four days. While Hoyland has been terrific, Loop has been even better. Loop has converted on all 23 of his attempts. Hoyland is also impressing coaches, but his 16 makes on 18 attempts are a clear step behind his counterpart.
Is John Hoyland already on the chopping block?
Overreactions are always a common theme, especially for training camp battles. The rookies are working on their mechanics every day, and a lot can change from week to week. However, with Loop’s perfect performance, the writing could already be on the wall for Hoyland’s exit.
The competition is going to persist into the preseason, but the former Arizona Wildcat is pulling away. Hoyland was already at a disadvantage, and his failure to keep up in camp has widened the gap.
Preseason will be the legitimate test for Loop and Hoyland, as game pressure can get the best of even the greatest kickers at times. If the two continue to kick at a high rate throughout camp, this battle could be decided by preseason performance.