The Baltimore Ravens have a pretty decent kicker in Tyler Loop, except when he’s asked to hit field goals beyond 50 yards. Then it gets dicey.
It’s a big step down from what they’d had for most of the last decade plus in Justin Tucker, who helped rewrite the NFL’s record books, won a Super Bowl, made 7 Pro Bowls and was even named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Tucker’s time in Baltimore came to an unceremonious end in May after The Baltimore Banner revealed accusations of sexual misconduct by workers from over a dozen Baltimore area spas and wellness centers — actions that ended with the NFL suspending him 10 games for violating its personal conduct policy.
While the Ravens released Tucker, they made sure to not identify his off-field issues as the reason why.
In the wake of that controversy — and his suspension — Tucker got another chance to resume his career this week with a tryout with the New Orleans Saints, who instead decided to go with Cade York.
“The Saints are hosting a kicker tryout and former Pro Bowler Justin Tucker is among those invited, per me and Mike Garafolo,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Monday, November 24. “This is his first workout since being suspended 10 games by the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy.”
Saints Choose Between Tucker, Fourth Round Pick
York was a fourth round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2022 draft. He is on his sixth team in 4 seasons.
“After a strong workout today, the Saints are going to sign kicker Cade York to the practice squad, per source,” Saints reporter Nick Underhill wrote on his official X account on Tuesday, November 25. ” … Justin Tucker is 36. He hit 73.3% of his kicks last year and just finished serving a 10-game suspension for 16 cases of alleged sexually inappropriate behavior. York is 24. He’s hit 73.3% of his kicks over parts of two seasons in the league.”
“Cade York, one of many dubbed ‘The Next Justin Tucker’ over the last decade, was chosen over Tucker for the Saints kicking job,” 105.7-FM The Fan’s Ken McKusick wrote on his official X account.
Major Fallout for Whatever Team Signs Tucker
The Saints, or any other team, would need to make sure they give their PR team a heads up if they sign Tucker. It’s not a leap to say whatever community he lands in might have some problems with him on the roster.
The response to just giving Tucker a workout may have scared off the Saints.
What Tucker was accused of was similar to what Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was accused of in 2022 — actions that led the NFL to suspend Watson for 11 games.
“After the blowback they caught over the Justin Tucker workout they prolly would’ve signed York even if he went 1 for 10 FGs in his workout,” Eagles fan C. James Philly wrote on X.
“Saints avoid the Justin Tucker mess, thank GOD,” Saints fan ClayJ2K wrote on X.
“Justin Tucker, who the Ravens say they cut due to football reasons prior to the NFL handing out his suspension, did not win the kicking battle (with Saints),” The Baltimore Banner’s Giana Han wrote on X.
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