The New Orleans Saints are bringing in former Baltimore Ravens star Justin Tucker for a tryout, his first workout since serving a 10-week suspension under the NFLâs personal conduct policy, according to ESPN. The move comes one day after Blake Grupe missed two more field goals in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons, putting the kicker job squarely under the microscope in New Orleans.
Tucker, 36, was reinstated on November 11 and has not kicked in a game this season. Baltimore released him in May after an NFL investigation into sexual misconduct allegations dating back to his early years with the Ravens. Sixteen massage therapists in the Baltimore area accused him of misconduct; Tucker has denied the accusations.
On the field, his resume is undeniable. Tucker spent 13 seasons with the Ravens, earning five first-team All-Pro honors and seven Pro Bowl selections. He led the league in field goal accuracy as recently as 2021, though his last season in Baltimore saw a dip to a career-low 73.3% on field goals.
Saints Turn to Justin Tucker After Blake Grupeâs Slump
Tuckerâs tryout is happening because Grupeâs struggles are no longer something the Saints can ignore. Against the Falcons, Grupe missed from makable range twice, adding to a season-long pattern that has cost New Orleans points and momentum.
For the year, Grupe has now missed eight field goals and is sitting at just 69.2% on field goal attempts, the worst percentage in the NFL among kickers with at least 20 tries. That kind of production is hard to live with on any team, and almost impossible for a Saints offense that isnât exactly lighting up scoreboards.
Head coach Kellen Moore has publicly backed Grupe at times this season, but he stopped short of a full endorsement after the Falcons loss, instead talking about âevaluating everythingâ on special teams. The Tucker workout is that evaluation in action.
If Tucker looks anything like the player he was for most of his Baltimore run, the Saints have to at least consider making a change. At minimum, bringing in a future Hall of Famer sends a clear message to Grupe that the leash is getting shorter.
What Tuckerâs Tryout Means for Kellen Moore & the Saints
From Mooreâs perspective, this fits a theme. As Heavy.com has previously noted, Moore has already shown heâs not eager to simply hand Grupe the long-term job at kicker. Competition is part of the program, and Tuckerâs appearance in Metairie is the strongest example yet.
Signing Tucker would represent a major statement: that Moore is willing to absorb potential backlash attached to Tuckerâs off-field history in exchange for the possibility of stabilizing a shaky position. It would also instantly change the tone in the locker room and on the sideline â every stalled drive would feel different if the Saints believed three points were almost automatic again.
If the tryout doesnât lead to a signing, it still serves a purpose. Grupe now knows the Saints are actively looking at alternatives, not just paying lip service to âcompetition.â For a team trying to salvage something from a frustrating season, tightening up the kicking game might be the cleanest way to steal back a few wins down the stretch.
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