Ravens kicking battle pushed back into spotlight after Justin Tucker suspension

The NFL officially suspended former Baltimore Raven Justin Tucker on Thursday, handing the kicker a 10-week suspension ahead of the 2025 regular season. Tucker and his camp will not appeal the suspension, so he will not be allowed to participate in regular season activities until Week 11.

This news puts an exact timeline on when Tucker can play football again, but it also puts the Ravens’ kicking battle back in the spotlight. The team released Tucker on May 5, a week after they selected kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Baltimore also signed an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, John Hoyland, to compete in camp. 

With the NFL world informed of the outcome of Tucker's allegations, they are also reminded of the Ravens’ kicker situation, and the battle is starting to heat up as they get closer to training camp.

Ravens rookie kickers looking to put on a show in training camp

The pressure on Loop and Hoyland is mounting. Both are refusing to give the other an edge in the early going and now, with the Tucker news back in the spotlight, the stress of replacing the team’s all-time points leader is only building. The two have been up for the competition, though.

Many deemed Loop the best kicker in college when the Ravens drafted him this past offseason. While he was the second kicker off the board, his powerful leg and efficiency at Arizona had scouts in awe. Going into offseason activities, Loop was supposed to be a shoo-in for the starting kicker job in 2025. However, the 23-year-old is getting pushed to his limits.

After a tremendous start to OTAs, where Loop was perfect, which included a booming make from 60 yards, he has been inconsistent. One practice found him unable to make much of anything from over 50 yards, and the door is now wide open for Hoyland to steal the job.

Hoyland has matched Loop step-for-step in every practice. At some points, he has even been better. On a day when the Arizona product struggled, missing a PAT and a 42-yard attempt, Hoyland took advantage by making all four of his tries. He has been the more consistent of the two thus far, and while he does not have the luxury of having draft pick value, he is giving Baltimore all the reason to believe he can be the heir to Tucker.

The team’s answer to the kicking question is still months away, but with training camp in sight, the contest is beginning to take shape. July will be the true test for the rookies as the Ravens look to rebuild their special teams unit.

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