Justin Tucker’s iconic No. 9 jersey has long been a familiar sight in the stands at M&T Bank Stadium, rivaled only by the ever-popular No. 8 of two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson. As the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Tucker has not only set the standard at his position over the past decade but also forged a compelling case for his future enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many believed his place in the Ravens’ Ring of Honor was a foregone conclusion.
However, Tucker’s storied 13-season tenure with the Ravens has come to an unexpected end, and now both his career and legacy are in jeopardy. On Monday, the Ravens made the difficult decision to part ways with the veteran kicker, who has recently been embroiled in serious allegations. Sixteen massage therapists have accused Tucker of engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior during bodywork sessions, including claims of intentionally exposing himself and touching some therapists inappropriately. Although Tucker has categorically denied these allegations, their gravity cannot be understated.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta framed Tucker’s release as a football decision, which might have been a necessary route to take. When a team cites “character” issues as a reason for a player’s dismissal, it risks complicating matters should that player be cleared of wrongdoing. “Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,” DeCosta stated. “Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker. He created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience, and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.”
There’s no doubt that football played a part in this decision. At 35 years old, Tucker is coming off the least productive season of his career. As one of the league’s highest-paid kickers, the Ravens will also gain over $4 million in salary-cap space by designating his release as a post-June 1 move.
The Ravens’ drafting of a kicker, Tyler Loop from Arizona, added to the sense that Tucker’s time in Baltimore was drawing to a close. For the first time in team history, the Ravens invested in a kicker in the draft—a move that hinted at their shifting priorities. The organization likely wanted to avoid the awkwardness of having both Tucker and Loop in the same locker room, especially considering Tucker’s stature as the longest-tenured Raven.
While the Ravens had pledged to monitor the NFL’s investigation into Tucker’s allegations and take a measured approach, the mounting pressure from owner Steve Bisciotti and the franchise’s faithful likely accelerated their decision-making process. The allegations span from 2012 to 2016, with no charges or civil suits currently filed, yet the looming specter of the situation made it increasingly challenging for the Ravens to retain their kicker.
Releasing a franchise cornerstone like Tucker is always a stark moment, particularly given how he rose to prominence in a position that rarely garners the limelight. Tucker had cultivated a public image centered around family and community engagement, often spotted at Orioles games and involved in charitable work. His pristine reputation, built on years of reliability, has now been irrevocably impacted by these serious allegations.
The Ravens will enter a new season with a different kicker for the first time since 2012, when they welcomed Tucker into the fold as an unheralded college free agent. His remarkable debut season—30 of 33 field goals and the game-winning kick in Super Bowl XLVII—set the stage for an illustrious career. Tucker earned five first-team All-Pro honors and seven Pro Bowl selections, solidifying his status as arguably the best kicker in NFL history.
At one point, he even amassed a league-record 65 consecutive field goals in fourth quarters and overtime, a streak that came to an end when a 67-yard attempt against the Jacksonville Jaguars fell short in November 2022. Beyond his skills, Tucker brought a unique flair to the kicking position, becoming a household name thanks to his engaging personality, a “60 Minutes” profile, and even winning a national talent show with his operatic voice.
However, this past season tested both Tucker and the Ravens as he faced the first significant struggles of his career, missing eight kicks and two extra-point attempts. With the team dropping tightly contested games, he became a focal point of frustration for some fans. Yet, amidst the storm, Tucker rebounded to successfully convert all five field goals and 23 extra-point attempts in the final stretch of the season.
During the Ravens’ end-of-season press conference, DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh indicated confidence in Tucker moving forward. “I think Justin’s going to go down as if not the best kicker of all time, one of the best,” DeCosta stated. “I have every expectation that Justin’s going to be a great kicker for us next year.”
Unfortunately, the ensuing allegations transformed Tucker’s status from a reliable veteran to a player entangled in serious accusations, leaving the Ravens with a difficult choice. Their decision to part ways with him reflects the harsh reality of a franchise grappling with the complexities of professional sports, personal conduct, and public perception. The end of an era for Tucker marks not just a shift in the Ravens’ kicking game but serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a player’s legacy can change.
