When Justin Tucker’s name is mentioned, it’s synonymous with greatness. Over the course of his illustrious career, Tucker has redefined the role of an NFL kicker.
Since joining the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012, he’s become the league’s all-time leader in field-goal accuracy, converting 89.1% of his attempts. Known for his poise under pressure and an uncanny ability to hit clutch kicks from extraordinary distances, Tucker has earned five first-team All-Pro nods and a Super Bowl ring.
In his prime, Tucker wasn’t just a kicker — he was a game-changer. His 66-yard, record-breaking field goal against the Detroit Lions in 2021 solidified his place as one of the most valuable special-teams players in league history.
Ravens General Manager Clears Air About Justin Tucker
After a season that included a career-high eight missed field goals, questions surrounding Tucker’s future in Baltimore began to arise. However, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made it clear that Tucker’s place in the franchise remains secure.
“Well, I think Justin’s going to go down as, if not the best kicker of all time, one of the best,” DeCosta said. “I think he finished the season strong. We’ll have those discussions, but I have every expectation that Justin’s going to be a great kicker for us next year and moving forward.”
GM Eric DeCosta on K Justin Tucker: pic.twitter.com/EAfNZCyibK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2025
DeCosta expressed confidence not only in Tucker’s talent but also in the coaching staff supporting him, including senior special teams coach Randy Brown, special teams coordinator Chris Horton, and assistant coach Sam Koch.
DeCosta praised Tucker’s relentless work ethic and competitive spirit, acknowledging that while the kicker faced midseason adversity, he emerged from it as strong as ever.
Despite his uncharacteristic struggles earlier in the year, Tucker ended the season on a high note, connecting on his final 28 kicks, including five field goals and 23 extra points.
John Harbaugh’s Golf Analogy
Head coach John Harbaugh also reflected on Tucker’s rare struggles, acknowledging that even the most consistent athletes are human.
“Maybe we all saw that Justin Tucker is human,” Harbaugh said. “It’s hard to be a great kicker in this league and be as consistent as he’s been, but [this adversity] probably had to happen in terms of his growth as a player.”
Harbaugh likened Tucker’s struggles to a golfer fine-tuning their swing, noting that the mechanical consistency the Baltimore kicker displayed in practice wasn’t translating to games — a mental hurdle the kicker ultimately overcame.
“To pull himself out of that was going to be the test,” Harbaugh said. “The fact that he went through that and came out stronger will serve him well moving forward.”
Looking ahead, Tucker remains under contract for three more seasons. While there’s no indication of competition being brought in, the Ravens will undoubtedly focus on ensuring his struggles become a thing of the past.
