The Baltimore Ravens entered rookie minicamp surrounded by intrigue—and not just because of the new faces. For the first time in franchise history, the Ravens drafted a kicker, selecting Tyler Loop out of Arizona in the sixth round.
That alone would’ve raised eyebrows. Add in the ongoing NFL investigation involving veteran kicker Justin Tucker, and the move has become one of the offseason’s most talked-about storylines.
But when head coach John Harbaugh addressed the media this weekend, he offered some rare clarity. Asked directly about how the team will handle having both Loop and Tucker in the building, Harbaugh made one thing crystal clear: whatever happens next won’t be driven by speculation, headlines, or off-field noise.
“Every decision we make has to be based on football,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a lot of layers to that. You’ve got a rookie kicker [Tyler Loop] in here. We took him in the sixth round, early in the sixth round. He’s a talented guy. Just from a football standpoint, salary cap, all the different things that you just take into consideration—whatever we decide to do over the next few weeks would be based on football.”
Harbaugh says Tucker’s future hinges on one thing only—football
(Update: The Ravens have released Justin Tucker.)
Of course, while Harbaugh insists this is strictly a football decision, there’s no ignoring the backdrop. The NFL’s ongoing investigation into allegations against Tucker is still very much part of the story—even if the Ravens can’t publicly factor it in (yet).
Harbaugh’s message was clear: this isn’t just a courtesy competition. The Ravens didn’t spend a sixth-round pick on Tyler Loop for depth—they did it because they’re seriously evaluating their options at kicker.
Tucker may be the most accurate—and possibly best—kicker in league history, but last season gave Baltimore reason to reassess. His 73.3% field goal rate in 2024 was a career low. He ended the year on a high note, but the inconsistency was hard to ignore. Add in the investigation, and the situation becomes even murkier—though Harbaugh insists none of that is factoring into the decision-making.
Loop, meanwhile, brings real intrigue. He nailed a 62-yard bomb last year, impressed at the Combine with his consistency, and fits the Ravens’ special teams spirit to a tee. Harbaugh called him a “kicking nerd,” which in this building is very much a compliment. Loop’s not shying away from the spotlight, either. He sees the Tucker competition as fuel, not a burden.
The Ravens will sort it out soon enough. Whether they roll with the rookie or stick with the veteran, the choice will come down to what they see on the field—and who they trust most when the game’s on the line.
One way or another, the Ravens are preparing for change—and whether it’s Loop or Tucker this fall, the decision is coming sooner than later... for football reasons only. Obviously.