Ravens Rookie Embracing Role As Kicker

Few rookie kickers have had bigger shoes to fill than Baltimore Ravens newcomer Tyler Loop.

Loop, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was an insurance policy against Justin Tucker, who declined in 2024 but – more importantly – was accused of sexual misconduct by 16 Baltimore-area massage therapists.

The Ravens called it a “football decision” when they officially released Tucker on Monday. It wasn’t. But it put an end to Tucker’s reign as a Baltimore stalwart and, possibly, his NFL career.

At his first professional press conference, Ravens fans were introduced to their rookie kicker, who spoke about his reliance on mechanics and consistent improvement as he transitions to the NFL.

"I'd say the one thing that I hang my hat on is being a student of craft," Loop said. "Guys in golf and baseball, you have a swing coach, because we're doing the same thing, trying to hit the same ball every time.

"That's something that I really enjoy, because there are days where you don't feel good. There are days where you're not in a groove, and if you're not feeling it, you can always fall back on your mechanics to be successful and make kicks."

Meeting Tucker’s standard will be a tough task. He’s the all-time leader in field goal percentage and has seven first-team All-Pro honors to his name. He played an integral role in several key moments in Ravens history and helped kick Baltimore to its last Super Bowl victory.

Once again, Baltimore’s competitive window, and it will have another young kicker hoping to keep those dreams alive. Before meaningful January football, though, is the bad weather and intense moments every AFC North matchup seems to include.

For that, the Arizona product is well prepared.

"Being in the Pac-12, I got to go up to Washington, Washington State, and Oregon and play up there in some cold weather and some wind and crazy conditions," Loop said. "It's something that gets me excited.

"I think having a challenge to go conquer and a skillset to refine and really work on and become an expert of kicking in those conditions is something that gets me fired up. Learning from coaches who have been up there for a long time and learned how to be successful in the AFC North kicking, that's something that just the sound of gets me pumped up, so I'm really looking forward to it."

For over a decade, Baltimore has avoided special teams uncertainty that haunts contenders and taunts the league’s worst teams. Loop will be tasked with steering the Ravens around that fate.