Not even the wildest suggestions can fix the Ravens’ biggest weakness

It’s been a rough year for Justin Tucker. The Baltimore Ravens' future Hall of Famer has been uncharacteristically shaky in 2024, missing kicks that once felt like automatic points. He’s left fans in disbelief and games hanging in the balance—most recently against the Eagles, where two missed field goals and a botched extra point arguably cost Baltimore a win.

By Tucker’s standards, his struggles are almost unfathomable. A kicker renowned for his precision and poise, he’s now sporting a field goal percentage that’s nearly unrecognizable. The confidence once radiating from every snap, hold, and kick has wavered, and fans are starting to panic.

Bleacher Report’s answer? Bring in a practice squad kicker. Their logic? Tucker’s slump is hurting the team, and they need a contingency plan. Needless to say, it's a fairly ridiculous suggestion.

Justin Tucker has struggled this season, but he's better than the alternative

Yes, Tucker has missed eight field goals and two extra points this year—a significant departure from his usual brilliance. But Bleacher Report’s suggestion to add a kicker to the practice squad isn’t the solution the Ravens need.

B/R NFL department stated, "This was the suggestion last week, but the Ravens still haven't added a kicker, so here we are again. Justin Tucker is in an all-time slump. He's the best kicker of a generation and has been steady for the Ravens, but he's also cost them a few games with missed field goals this season."

There’s a reason these free agents are still on the street heading into Week 15. No one you sign off the couch in December is going to be better than Tucker, even in his worst year.

Look at it logically. Tucker may be in a slump, but he’s still Justin Tucker. The greatest kicker of all time. A player with ice in his veins during playoff games, bad weather, or pressure-packed moments. You don’t replace that with a journeyman who hasn’t seen meaningful action all year. Baltimore would be gambling its postseason hopes on someone who isn’t nearly as equipped for those moments.

It turns out, we're not the only ones who share the sentiment:

And let’s address another point: if the Ravens are going to make a move, it shouldn’t be for a backup kicker. Baltimore’s interior offensive line has been getting blown up too often, with both guard spots needing serious attention. Or how about patching up the secondary, which has been exposed all season? Better yet, the Ravens could revisit last week’s controversy with Diontae Johnson, whose suspension has only deepened the tension between player and team. Fixing things with him could give Lamar Jackson another weapon in the passing game.

But a kicker? C’mon. Tucker’s slump isn’t ideal, but asking Jackson and company to trust an unknown leg is a bigger risk than sticking with the most reliable kicker in NFL history.

The Ravens need to ride with Tucker. Instead of looking for outside help, they can adjust their approach—like utilizing Derrick Henry more in short-yardage situations or leaning into Jackson's electricity and otherworldly athletic ability.

Tucker has earned the benefit of the doubt, and Ravens fans should give it to him. After all, it’s not like this team’s success has ever hinged on just one player… right?

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