Kyle Van Noy blatantly ignores and challenges Players from the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson discuss Justin Tucker

When it comes to NFL special teams, few names spark as much reverence—or ire—as Justin Tucker. The longtime Baltimore Ravens kicker is widely considered the greatest kicker in league history. With a combination of range, accuracy, and clutch performances, Tucker has become a household name even among casual fans. Yet, not everyone is ready to roll out the red carpet for the five-time All-Pro. That includes none other than his own teammate, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, whose recent comments and behavior toward Tucker have stirred up major headlines and internal discussions in the Ravens’ locker room.

In what has become a viral moment, Van Noy appeared to blatantly ignore and challenge Tucker during a heated practice session, followed by public comments that suggested deeper frustrations brewing behind the scenes. As reporters scrambled for clarity, several key Ravens players—most notably quarterback Lamar Jackson—addressed the situation, offering insight into Tucker’s role on the team and what Van Noy’s actions mean for team chemistry moving forward.

The spark that ignited the fire came during a Ravens offseason minicamp. Eyewitnesses and insiders reported that during a routine special teams drill, Van Noy, who re-signed with the Ravens in March after a productive 2024 season, dismissed Tucker’s input during a formation alignment. One source described the exchange as “tense and condescending,” with Van Noy reportedly saying, “You kick the ball, let us handle the rest.”

The moment might have passed quietly were it not for cameras catching Tucker approaching Van Noy after the drill, attempting to clarify what had happened. Van Noy appeared to walk past him without acknowledgment—a rare sight in a franchise that prides itself on cohesion and respect across all units.

By the following morning, the clip had exploded on social media, with fans and analysts debating whether Van Noy’s behavior was a sign of brewing discontent—or simply the fiery nature of veteran leadership clashing in high-pressure situations.

Lamar Jackson, the face of the franchise and undisputed leader of the Ravens, was quick to defend Tucker when asked during a media availability session.

“Look, Tuck is that guy. No question about it,” Jackson said. “He’s won us games. He’s made impossible kicks look routine. If you don’t respect that, then you don’t understand what winning football is.”

Jackson was careful not to throw Van Noy under the bus directly but acknowledged that the moment “looked bad” and “wasn’t what you want to see from leaders.”

“We’ve got a locker room full of dogs, man,” Jackson added. “We’re gonna disagree. We’re gonna butt heads. But at the end of the day, it’s about unity. And I trust that’ll get handled.”

Tight end Mark Andrews also came to Tucker’s defense, emphasizing how valuable Tucker’s communication is, even during practice reps.

“He’s not just a kicker,” Andrews said. “He’s a captain. He’s got football IQ that’s off the charts. You better believe his voice matters when we’re talking game situations, time management, field position. Tuck’s like a coach out there sometimes.”

Andrews, known for his emotional investment in the Ravens’ success, said he was “surprised and disappointed” by Van Noy’s cold shoulder during the altercation.

“We’re grown men. You don’t have to agree, but there’s a respectful way to disagree. That wasn’t it.”

Kyle Van Noy is no stranger to controversy. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots and a well-traveled veteran with stints in Miami and Los Angeles, Van Noy brings attitude and edge wherever he goes. The Ravens brought him in during the 2023 season to patch up linebacker depth—and he quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his on-field production and leadership.

But leadership, as this incident shows, sometimes walks a fine line.

According to multiple team insiders, Van Noy has voiced skepticism toward what he considers the “privileged treatment” of certain specialists, suggesting in private conversations that the “football guys” carry the real burden of winning and losing.

One source familiar with the locker room dynamics said Van Noy views some of the team’s special teams rituals—like giving Tucker extended warmup sessions and individualized game prep time—as “unearned.”

“Kyle’s old school,” the source said. “He thinks the game is won in the trenches, not with a leg.”

For his part, Justin Tucker addressed the incident with his usual grace and professionalism.

“Look, I love this team. I love these guys,” Tucker said. “We’re all competitors. Emotions get high. My role has always been to help this team win games, whether that’s by kicking or by offering perspective in game prep.”

Tucker didn’t name Van Noy directly but acknowledged the need for open lines of communication.

“We’ve built a culture here of mutual respect. I’m confident we’ll keep that intact.”

Head coach John Harbaugh, a strong advocate for team unity, was visibly irritated when asked about the incident.

“We’re not going to turn a ten-second video clip into a crisis,” Harbaugh said. “I spoke to both guys. It’s been addressed. We’ll handle that internally.”

Still, Harbaugh hinted that respect and cohesion were non-negotiable pillars of the Ravens’ culture.

“Nobody here is above the team. And nobody is beneath it either. We win together, we lose together.”

Though many players publicly backed Tucker, some reactions hinted at quiet support for Van Noy’s old-school mentality.

Defensive lineman Michael Pierce noted, “Kyle’s intense, but he’s not wrong about the need for urgency. We’re trying to win a Super Bowl. That doesn’t mean disrespect, but sometimes guys need to hear the hard truth.”

On the other side, punter Jordan Stout took to Instagram with a not-so-subtle post: a photo of him, Tucker, and long snapper Nick Moore captioned, “Special teams win games. #RespectTheLeg.”

It’s clear the exchange, while not a full-blown controversy, touched a nerve.

Sports talk shows and social media accounts picked up on the drama with fervor. On Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe said:

“Justin Tucker might be the only kicker you don’t mess with. He’s clutch. He’s consistent. He’s money. Van Noy better check himself.”

Former NFL kicker Pat McAfee, now a media titan, also weighed in:

“Look, I love Van Noy. He’s a dog. But if he thinks Tucker’s not vital to the Ravens, he hasn’t been watching enough Ravens football.”

Ravens fans mostly took Tucker’s side, flooding Van Noy’s Instagram with comments like, “Respect the GOAT,” and “He’s the reason we win close games.”

If there’s a silver lining to the dust-up, it’s this: it happened in May. There’s time to course-correct.

Van Noy, despite the backlash, remains a critical piece of Baltimore’s defensive strategy—particularly in hybrid pass-rush roles. Tucker remains the most valuable kicker in the NFL. The Ravens, fresh off an AFC Championship Game loss, have bigger aspirations than internal squabbles.

But the episode serves as a timely reminder: even elite teams can crumble from within if pride overtakes purpose.

Every successful football team relies on an invisible currency: respect. Not just for the stars, but for every role—every route run in practice, every film session, every snap, every kick.

Kyle Van Noy may have momentarily forgotten that. And Justin Tucker, by responding with poise, reminded everyone why he’s more than just a kicker—he’s a leader.

If the Ravens are serious about making another run in 2025, they’ll need every ounce of Van Noy’s edge, and every inch of Tucker’s leg. But most of all, they’ll need a locker room that remembers what they’re playing for.