The Baltimore Ravens made the difficult decision to release veteran kicker Justin Tucker on Monday after 13 seasons with the team.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta expressed the challenge of the decision, acknowledging Tucker’s significant contributions to the team’s history. “Justin’s reliability, focus, drive, resilience, and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade,” DeCosta said in a statement. “We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions during his time with the Ravens.”
Tucker’s departure follows the Ravens’ selection of kicker Tyler Loop from the University of Arizona in the sixth round of last month’s NFL draft.
The decision also comes amid allegations of inappropriate sexual misconduct made against Tucker by multiple massage therapists, with incidents reportedly occurring between 2012 and 2016. Tucker has denied the accusations, describing them as “shocking and heart-breaking.”
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh addressed the situation, stating that the team had not been provided with any information regarding the allegations, which he confirmed were under investigation. “We haven’t been given any information, as it should be,” Harbaugh said. “Every decision we make has to be based on football.”
The NFL confirmed it is reviewing the allegations against Tucker in accordance with its Personal Conduct Policy.
Tucker, who joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012, spent his entire career in Baltimore. He is widely regarded as one of the best placekickers in NFL history, holding the highest career field goal percentage at 89.1%. Tucker was also part of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
