For the First Time in Over a Decade, Ravens Face Uncertainty at Kicker as Justin Tucker’s Dominance Nears Twilight
Thirteen years. That’s how long it’s been since the Baltimore Ravens last had to think twice about who their starting kicker would be on Sundays. In a league where games are routinely decided by three points or less, the Ravens have enjoyed a luxury few franchises could dream of: automatic excellence. That luxury has come in the form of Justin Tucker, widely regarded as the most accurate and clutch kicker in NFL history. But as the 2025 season looms, a strange and slightly uncomfortable reality is beginning to settle in over Baltimore—Tucker’s grip on the position is no longer absolute.
To be clear, Justin Tucker is still on the roster. He’s still hitting from 50+ in practice. He’s still as mechanically sound and mentally locked in as ever. But for the first time since he unseated Billy Cundiff back in 2012, there’s an air of uncertainty surrounding his future as the Ravens’ primary placekicker.
It started subtly. In 2023, Tucker missed a few kicks—nothing alarming, but noticeable for someone whose consistency had become folklore. Then came 2024, when he missed four field goals from under 50 yards and two extra points. Again, not catastrophic, but certainly uncharacteristic. For most kickers, those numbers wouldn’t raise an eyebrow. But for Justin Tucker, they were enough to start whispers. Was he beginning to slow down? Was Father Time finally catching up?
By the end of the 2024 season, those whispers turned into cautious conversations within the organization. No one was rushing to replace him—Tucker still made 89.7% of his field goals, after all—but for a franchise that has leaned heavily on his leg in tight playoff games, the sudden dips were impossible to ignore.
Enter 2025 training camp, and for the first time in over a decade, there’s legitimate competition at the kicker position. The Ravens signed undrafted rookie standout Jacob Zimmerman from Michigan State—winner of the 2024 Lou Groza Award and known for his booming 60-yard leg and calm demeanor. While Zimmerman is officially listed as a camp leg, insiders say the coaching staff is genuinely evaluating his potential as a long-term successor.
Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton didn’t shy away when asked about the decision to bring in Zimmerman. “Justin’s still the best in the world,” Horton said. “But we’re always evaluating. No position is exempt from competition. That’s how we stay sharp.”
Tucker, to his credit, has embraced the challenge with characteristic professionalism. “This isn’t new to me,” he told reporters after minicamp. “I came into this league having to beat someone out. Nothing’s ever guaranteed. I welcome the chance to prove myself all over again.”
That mentality is part of what’s made Tucker legendary. He’s never coasted, never assumed his job was secure, despite being the most decorated kicker in the NFL. A six-time All-Pro and the league’s all-time leader in field goal percentage, Tucker has nailed game-winners from absurd distances, including the now-mythic 66-yarder to beat the Lions in 2021. His range, accuracy, and clutch gene have made him more than just a kicker—he’s been a legitimate weapon.
But kickers, like pitchers in baseball or closers in golf, live on the edge of rhythm and repetition. A slight hitch in mechanics or a subtle decline in leg strength can quickly spiral. For the first time in his career, Tucker’s once-perfect tempo seems mortal. His kicks don’t explode off his foot with quite the same ferocity. The ball isn’t climbing as fast. Even his signature opera-backed warmups feel a little less theatrical.
Of course, age plays a role. Tucker is 35, still young by normal standards but approaching the outer edge of prime years for NFL kickers. While some kickers have lasted into their late 30s and early 40s—Adam Vinatieri being the gold standard—many see drop-offs begin right around this age. And in a sport defined by margins, a two-percent dip in consistency can be the difference between a playoff win and heartbreak.
For the Ravens, the question isn’t just whether Tucker can still do the job—it’s whether he can still do it better than anyone else. That’s a high bar, especially with a talented rookie pushing behind him and the Ravens operating in a tight cap situation. Tucker carries one of the largest kicker contracts in NFL history. If a cheaper, younger option emerges who can hit 90% of his kicks and handle kickoffs, the organization may be forced to make a difficult decision.
But that decision won’t come lightly. Tucker’s legacy in Baltimore is etched in stone. He’s more than a player—he’s part of the city’s sports fabric. Fans still chant his name. Children wear his jersey. Local opera companies invite him to sing. Letting go of a player like that requires more than cold numbers—it takes a seismic shift in philosophy.
And yet, the Ravens are not sentimental when it comes to roster management. They let go of franchise icons like Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda when the time came. They didn’t re-sign Ed Reed or Haloti Ngata at the tail end. General Manager Eric DeCosta has proven willing to make tough calls in the name of long-term stability. If he believes Tucker’s best days are behind him, he won’t hesitate to prepare for a future without him.
Still, no decision is imminent. Tucker remains the starter heading into the season. But the leash may be shorter than it has ever been. A missed kick in a close divisional game, a shanked attempt in prime time—those mistakes won’t be glossed over anymore. Every kick is an audition now, whether anyone says it aloud or not.
What complicates the conversation is the Ravens’ 2025 Super Bowl aspirations. With Lamar Jackson at the peak of his powers, an explosive receiving corps, and a top-tier defense, Baltimore is built to win now. In that context, can they really afford to roll the dice on a rookie kicker in critical moments? Probably not. Which is why Tucker likely holds onto the job this year—but must prove he still deserves it.
That’s the nature of the NFL. No one is immune to time. Not even the most accurate kicker in the history of the league. Not even a Ravens legend.
But if there’s anyone capable of silencing the doubts, it’s Tucker. He’s built his entire career on proving people wrong—first by beating out veterans, then by redefining what a kicker could be. Maybe 2024 was just a blip. Maybe the old magic hasn’t left—just been lying dormant. Maybe this is the year he reminds everyone why his name still carries weight.
For now, the countdown begins. Every practice rep. Every preseason kick. Every moment under pressure.
Thirteen years. That’s how long it’s been since the Ravens had to worry about the kicker position. And if Justin Tucker has anything to say about it, it may be a while longer still. But for the first time in a decade, there’s someone watching from behind—someone waiting for a chance to take the stage. In a game of inches and moments, the Ravens’ kicking situation has quietly become one of the most fascinating stories to watch in 2025.
