The Baltimore Ravens wrapped up their 2026 preseason with a statement win over the Washington Commanders. While the preseason finale typically puts roster cutdown questions at the top of everyone’s mind, the more pressing question is actually the starting kicker: Tyler Loop.
Loop has been a polarizing player all offseason. In training camp, he’s been rather strong. Unfortunately, it’s been a game-pressure problem with him.
This preseason, Loop went 5-for-8. Each miss came from 45-plus yards out. Where were the Ravens hoping Loop would improve from this upcoming season? 45-plus yards out.
In their blowout victory over the Commanders, Loop had his worst outing at the worst time. He went 2-for-4, missing from 51 and 58 yards. He can’t figure it out when the uprights get skinnier and skinnier.
This leaves Baltimore with nowhere to hide. Can they trust Loop, or do they sign competition?
Baltimore Ravens must make a decision on Tyler Loop’s future
In all likelihood, Tyler Loop will kick for the Ravens in the season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Whether you like it or not, they probably won’t sign a kicker this late and push Loop aside ahead of Week 1. There’s not enough time between now and then.
Barring a roster cutdown day shocker, Loop will have his shot to prove himself. In 2025, he was an abysmal 1-for-4 on kicks from 50-plus yards. That can’t happen again.
Everyone knows he has the leg to make those kicks—he converted from 74 yards in warmups ahead of the Commanders game. He just hasn’t been able to guide the ball through the uprights.
And although he had head coach Jesse Minter’s support, that may have passed following Friday night’s atrocity. In his postgame press conference, Minter was critical of the second-year pro out of Arizona.
“You want to see makes in games,” Minter said. “It comes down to making the kicks and the pressure situations in the game. So, that's something I think that we'll always be looking at to make sure that we're doing what's best for the team.”
Yeah, disaster might be looming for Loop.
Still, he’s the only kicker Baltimore has at the moment. That’s a plus for him. There may also be some benefit of the doubt, as he continues to grow his relationship with his new holder, rookie punter Ryan Eckley.
Loop might have attached himself to a short leash, though. We saw where poor kicking got this team last year. A shank on a game-winning field goal attempt last year sent the Ravens home. With that fresh in their mind, they shouldn’t be shy about moving on from Loop if these issues persist.
Baltimore should bring in competition at the very least. There are a few veteran kickers in free agency who have been reliable at points throughout their careers.
Matt Prater could be a short-term fix. The 42-year-old veteran has proven he can be an emergency solution. He signed with the Buffalo Bills just days before the 2025 regular season and went 18-for-20 in 15 games. That included a perfect night in Week 1, where he helped the Bills beat the Ravens.
Regardless, Loop is the guy right now. Baltimore will have to confront tough questions about his future in the coming weeks, though, and even if he doesn’t give them much faith soon, he could be on his way out the door.
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