Baltimore Ravens face major kicking shakeup as John Hoyland joins Tyler Loop in post Justin Tucker era to fill the void

Time of India

13-05-2025

Rookies John Hoyland and Tyler Loop are now competing to fill Justin Tucker's shoes (Image via AP)
In a stunning shift that few saw coming, the
Baltimore Ravens
are entering a new era without the leg of Justin Tucker—one of the most iconic and reliable kickers in NFL history. The team released Tucker on May 5, marking the end of a 14-year tenure during which he became the league's most accurate kicker with an 89.1% success rate. Now, Baltimore is turning to fresh faces and open competition to find their next special teams cornerstone.
Hoyland and Loop: two rookies, one shot at replacing a legend
Baltimore Ravens signed former Wyoming standout
John Hoyland
on Monday following a strong showing at a recent tryout. He'll now go head-to-head with rookie
Tyler Loop
, a sixth-round pick out of Arizona, in what promises to be one of the most closely watched position battles of Ravens training camp.
Hoyland brings a strong collegiate résumé, especially in short-range consistency—missing only twice in 54 career kicks from under 40 yards. His long-range game is still developing, with most of his misses coming from beyond 50 yards. But his calm under pressure and work ethic made him an attractive candidate for the Ravens, who may be seeking the next undrafted success story—much like Tucker himself once was.
Loop, on the other hand, enters the competition as the first kicker the Ravens have ever drafted. He made 6 of 9 field goals from 50-plus yards at Arizona, including a booming 62-yarder that showcased his leg strength.
Both kickers had strong showings in rookie minicamp, earning praise from head coach John Harbaugh. 'Both kickers, I thought, looked really good today. So, we got them out there behind the line with the snap and everything, and I think they made them all, didn't they? So that's good to see. It's a good start that way.'
Tucker's release wasn't just about age or performance. The move came amid an ongoing NFL investigation involving 16 massage therapists accusing him of inappropriate behavior, as reported by the Baltimore Banner. The Ravens called it a 'football decision,' but the timing raises questions about the franchise's internal calculus.
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Regardless of why the decision was made, it has opened the door for a major shakeup at a position that's long been one of the team's few constants. Whether it's Hoyland or Loop, the pressure is on to deliver—and fast.
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