Tyler Loop is a Strong Successor to Justin Tucker

Stefan MacakanjaMay 29, 20252 Mins read935

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 02: Head coach John Harbaugh (L) and kicker Justin Tucker #9 (R) of the Baltimore Ravens look on from the sideline before a fourth down conversion attempt against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Justin Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history. He’s hit game winners, set records, and became a Baltimore icon. But with his release, the Tyler Loop Ravens era is set to begin.

Who is Tyler Loop?

Loop is the first-ever kicker drafted in Ravens franchise history, selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Loop played for the Arizona Wildcats in college. He made 83.75% of his field-goal attempts (67/80), setting the school’s all-time mark for field-goal percentage.

In 2024, Loop broke a program record against Houston when he converted a 62-yard field goal, a kick that showcased his strength and poise.

https://twitter.com/ArizonaFBall/status/1857647000222892390?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1857647000222892390%7Ctwgr%5Ee251990c6f681c1723852e3ddb582028f98f45b8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2FArizonaFBall2Fstatus2F1857647000222892390widget%3DTweet

Ahead of the NFL Combine, Loop kicked from as far as 70 yards in training clips shared online. The videos featuring 65 and 70-yard conversions quickly caught attention.

They reinforced his elite leg strength, which is a major asset at the pro level. For the Ravens, it’s a sign he could handle deep kicks if called upon.

✅ 65 yards
✅ 70 yards

NFL Draft Eligible Senior Tyler Loop of @ArizonaFBall hits from WAY downtown in prep for the NFL Combine. #KohlsElite pic.twitter.com/1Xn23V0Nba

— Kohl's Kicking Camps (@KohlsKicking) February 21, 2025

Why Draft a Kicker Now?

Tucker, the veteran kicker, connected on just 73% of his field goal attempts, going 22-30 during the 2024-2025 season, a career low. From 50-plus yards, he made six of 11, after going just one of five the year before. For a kicker who once felt automatic, the decline is hard to ignore.

Off-field issues have added some uncertainty around Tucker, but the Ravens maintain Tucker’s release was strictly a football decision.

Statement from Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric DeCosta pic.twitter.com/TNQrqw3me2

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 5, 2025

What This Means for the Ravens

Though many still regard Tucker as the greatest kicker in NFL history, the Ravens have moved on without him. He was the last player remaining from Baltimore’s 2012-2013 Super Bowl-winning team. His release marks the end of an era.

By selecting Loop, Baltimore is beginning a fresh phase in their kicking game. Loop’s strong leg and college success make him a promising candidate to take over.

The Road Ahead

Drafting Loop shows the Ravens are thinking ahead. Justin Tucker may still be the best to ever do it at kicker, but his decline was real. Baltimore knew it needed a plan for life after him. Tucker may be the past, but the Ravens just made a move that points to the future.

Written by

Stefan Macakanja

Having grown up in Maryland, Stefan Macakanja has long followed the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL, with a strong focus on the team. His interest in the Ravens developed into a deeper focus on analyzing performances, team trends, and the key moments that define each season. Stefan is a writer for The Lead and studies Communication & Media Studies with an emphasis on sports media.