Ravens John Harbaugh breaks silence on complex Justin Tucker decision

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 1:45 pm

**Ravens' Harbaugh Explains Justin Tucker Release: A "Complex" Decision**

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has finally broken his silence on the controversial release of star kicker Justin Tucker, offering insight into the team's decision-making process. After weeks of speculation, Harbaugh described the move as "complex and multi-layered," emphasizing that it ultimately boiled down to preparing the team for the upcoming season.

The Ravens released Tucker, their longest-tenured player and arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history, on May 5th. While Harbaugh didn't delve into specifics, he echoed the "football decision" phrasing used by General Manager Eric DeCosta, a term that subtly acknowledges the allegations of sexual misconduct against Tucker, which are still under NFL investigation.

Beyond the off-field issues, Tucker's performance on the field was also a factor. In his final season with the Ravens, he struggled, hitting a career-low 73.3% of his field goals and going 11-of-19 on kicks beyond 40 yards.

The Ravens were proactive in finding a replacement. They drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, marking the first time in franchise history they've drafted a kicker. Loop, a fifth-year senior, showed promise, connecting on 18 of 23 field goals, including six from beyond 50 yards. The team also signed undrafted rookie John Hoyland. Harbaugh confirmed that Loop and Hoyland will compete for the starting kicker position during the offseason. The Ravens are clearly looking to move forward with a new kicker, signaling a significant shift for the team.

Keywords: Ravens, Justin Tucker, John Harbaugh, release, kicker, NFL, football decision, Tyler Loop, John Hoyland, Baltimore Ravens, kicking competition, allegations, performance, draft, offseason, Eric DeCosta.

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