NFL News: Lamar Jackson, John Harbaugh receive encouraging sign of commitment after Ravens release Justin Tucker

Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh will be missing a reliable contributor as the Baltimore Ravens officially parted ways with Justin Tucker this week. However, this change will also represent an exciting opportunity ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Rookie kicker Tyler Loop will be taking the duties Tucker had in Baltimore since 2011, hoping to prove Jackson and Harbaugh they can count on him in critical situations for the years to come.

Even though this will be his first year in the NFL, Loop is determined to make an immediate impact in Baltimore. His commitment to settling in as fast as possible should be an encouraging sign for Jackson and Harbaugh after losing a proven kicker.

“Just figuring out what’s going to work to be successful in Baltimore and make kicks and win games,” Loop said, via the Ravens’ website. “What that looks like is just stacking days and learning and taking input and just competing every day. That’s what I’m going to do. That’s what I’m ready for.”

Place kicker Tyler Loop #33 of the Arizona Wildcats kicks a field goal during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Arizona Stadium on November 15, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona.

Ravens GM takes weight off Loop’s shoulders

Selected with the 186th pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Loop arrives in Baltimore with quite the pressure on his shoulders as the Ravens are changing their starting kicker for the first time in more than a decade.

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General manager Eric DeCosta, however, doesn’t want Loop to feel overwhelmed in his first year with the team. Speaking to the press after the Draft, the Ravens GM refused to claim that the rookie will have to take Tucker’s spot.

“No, I haven’t really thought about that at this point,” DeCosta said. “I just thought he was a really talented player, and it made sense for us to do that for a lot of different reasons.

“We’ve told you guys multiple times this spring that we would look at kickers, and so, for us, it’s like any other position this year. We evaluated all these guys, we felt like he was draftable. We felt like he was the best kicker. It made sense for us to take him.”

Ravens reportedly targeting another rookie K

In five years with Arizona, Loop made 67 of 80 field goal attempts, going 18-for-23 last season. He appears to be in pole position to replace Tucker in Baltimore, but the Ravens are expected to make another addition at the position with undrafted free agent John Hoyland.