The Baltimore Ravens sign an underappreciated kicker to battle Tyler Loop in a shocking coaching move.

The Baltimore Ravens, long renowned for their savvy front office moves and championship-caliber special teams, sent shockwaves through the NFL on Monday with the surprise signing of an underappreciated kicker to compete with recent addition Tyler Loop. While it’s rare to see kicker competitions generate headlines during the spring, this latest move has left fans and analysts alike stunned—not because of the roster shake-up itself, but because of what it might signal about Baltimore’s evolving approach under head coach John Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Chris Horton.

The Ravens have never been shy about innovating, especially in areas other teams overlook. With Justin Tucker—the most accurate kicker in NFL history—still on the roster but entering his 13th season and approaching his mid-30s, many are now questioning whether Baltimore is preparing for a new era at the position. Or perhaps this is simply an effort to push Loop, a young kicker with upside, to elevate his game. Either way, the new signee, while not a household name, is getting a legitimate shot to shake up the status quo.

The underappreciated kicker signed by Baltimore is none other than Parker Romo, a former XFL standout who’s quietly built a reputation as one of the strongest legs outside the NFL. Romo, who most recently competed in the XFL with the San Antonio Brahmas and had a brief stint with the Detroit Lions, made a name for himself by routinely drilling 50+ yard field goals and booming kickoffs out of the end zone.

Romo went undrafted in 2022 after a solid college career at Virginia Tech and transferred his talents to the alternative football scene, where he showcased his raw ability and resilience. Scouts have described Romo as having “Justin Tucker range with a cannon leg,” though consistency and accuracy remain areas he’s worked to sharpen. During his XFL tenure, he connected on 90% of his field goals and led the league in touchback percentage—metrics that caught the eye of the Ravens’ scouting department.

By bringing in Romo, the Ravens aren’t just filling out a 90-man offseason roster. They’re making a statement: no one’s job is safe, not even on special teams.

For Tyler Loop, a highly regarded college kicker out of Arizona who signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, the new competition adds another layer to an already intense uphill climb. Loop was one of the most accurate collegiate kickers in the Pac-12, connecting on 96% of his extra points and nearly 88% of his field goal attempts. His poise and repeatable mechanics earned him a shot with Baltimore in early May.

What makes this move even more shocking is the timeline: Loop hadn’t even settled into rookie minicamp before the team brought in Romo. In most cases, NFL teams carry only one kicker through camp, especially when that kicker is Justin Tucker. Yet here the Ravens are, throwing two relatively unknown kickers into the fire to compete—presumably not just for a spot on the practice squad, but perhaps as a long-term successor.

It’s impossible to talk about Baltimore’s kicking situation without addressing the elephant in the room: Justin Tucker. The five-time All-Pro is still at the top of his game and shows no clear signs of decline. He connected on 90.5% of his field goals last season and remains a model of consistency and power. So why are the Ravens entertaining a kicker competition at all?

Some insiders suggest the answer lies not in Tucker’s current performance but in contractual and strategic planning. Tucker is owed $5.5 million in 2025 and $6 million in 2026—significant cap hits for a specialist, especially as the Ravens begin to reallocate money toward franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson’s new deal and a rapidly evolving defensive core.

While no one expects Tucker to be cut this offseason, there’s a growing belief that Baltimore may be grooming his replacement earlier than expected—ensuring they aren’t caught flat-footed when age or finances eventually force a transition.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has always taken special teams seriously. As a former special teams coordinator himself, he understands that games can be won or lost by a single kick. However, this offseason has seen Harbaugh and his staff make a series of bold, unconventional decisions that hint at a broader philosophical shift.

For example, rather than simply allowing Tyler Loop to develop behind Tucker in anonymity, Harbaugh chose to sign Romo and immediately ignite a training camp battle. That kind of competitive atmosphere, especially at a position often treated with kid gloves, reflects a hardened edge in the team’s approach.

It also speaks volumes about special teams coordinator Chris Horton, who has continued to mold Baltimore’s special teams unit into one of the most aggressive and creative in the NFL. Horton is believed to be an advocate for Romo’s signing, citing the kicker’s raw potential and willingness to tackle, fake punt, or contribute in non-traditional roles.

“We want our specialists to be more than just kickers or punters,” Horton told reporters on Monday. “We want them to be football players.”

The Ravens will enter training camp with three kickers: Tucker, Loop, and Romo. While it’s highly unlikely the team would part ways with a future Hall of Famer like Tucker this summer, insiders believe there’s a genuine battle brewing between Loop and Romo for either a backup role or to make an impression as a potential trade chip.

There’s also speculation that Baltimore could “stash” a kicker on the practice squad, something that became more common after the NFL expanded squad sizes in recent years. This would allow the team to continue developing a younger player while keeping Tucker on the field.

But for Loop and Romo, this camp is more than just a tryout—it’s a showcase. Every kick they make (or miss) will be analyzed not just by Baltimore, but by other teams around the league in need of reliable legs.

The kicker competition may seem isolated, but it could have ripple effects throughout the 53-man roster. If the Ravens elect to keep a second kicker or prioritize special teams flexibility, that could mean one less spot for a fringe wide receiver, backup linebacker, or developmental cornerback.

Moreover, this emphasis on depth and contingency at the kicking position mirrors the team’s broader offseason theme: “Be ready for anything.” Injuries, contract disputes, or sudden declines can derail a season. Baltimore is preparing early—and thoroughly.

The move has been met with a mix of confusion and cautious optimism. Many Ravens fans remain loyal to Tucker and don’t see the need for a kicking competition. Others applaud the front office for thinking two steps ahead.

NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah called the signing “very Ravens,” tweeting:

“Parker Romo is a low-cost, high-upside guy. Doesn’t mean Tucker’s in danger, but Baltimore always prepares for what’s next.”

Meanwhile, former NFL kicker Jay Feely weighed in during a local radio interview:

“I love it. Make the kids earn it. Romo has a rocket. Loop’s accurate. Let them duke it out. That’s how you build real depth.”

All eyes will be on Baltimore’s kicking situation during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. Reporters are already requesting to film daily kicking drills, and fans are buzzing on social media about “Team Romo vs. Team Loop.”

Training camp in July will be the ultimate proving ground. For now, the Ravens have created one of the most unlikely and oddly compelling competitions of the offseason.

And who knows? If either Loop or Romo catches fire, Baltimore could find itself holding one of the NFL’s most valuable trade chips—a reliable, young kicker—right as other teams begin to feel the sting of preseason injuries or inconsistency.

The Ravens’ decision to sign Parker Romo and pit him against Tyler Loop may seem like a minor offseason subplot, but it represents a deeper ethos—one that values preparation, competition, and constant evolution.

In a league where margins are razor-thin and playoff games often come down to a single field goal, Baltimore is daring to do what many franchises won’t: challenge the status quo, even when that status quo is named Justin Tucker.

As the season approaches, one thing is clear—the Ravens’ kicking battle might be the most underappreciated story in football. But as Parker Romo and Tyler Loop take aim at NFL legitimacy, they just might boot their way into history.