Ravens Name Rookie Tyler Loop as Justin Tucker’s Successor After Lights-Out Preseason Performance
The Baltimore Ravens have made one of the boldest calls of the preseason, officially naming rookie Tyler Loop as their new starting kicker—and the successor to one of the greatest to ever do it, Justin Tucker. After weeks of speculation and a strong showing in training camp and preseason action, head coach John Harbaugh ended the suspense in Dallas following a 31-13 win over the Cowboys. “He’ll be the kicker,” Harbaugh said. “He’s earned it.” That statement closed the door on any lingering questions about who would step into Tucker’s massive shoes and opened a new chapter in Baltimore’s kicking legacy.
Tyler Loop didn’t just win the job—he seized it. In that game against Dallas, Loop connected on five of six field goals, including two from 51 and 53 yards. He was smooth, confident, and calm under pressure. The one miss came from 50 yards, but he answered it in the most decisive way possible—by coming right back and drilling an even longer one. That response told the Ravens coaching staff everything they needed to know about his mental toughness. In the NFL, kickers can’t afford to linger on mistakes. Loop proved he can move on quickly, stay composed, and keep delivering when it counts.
This decision doesn’t just reflect Loop’s strong leg or technical precision—it reflects the level of trust he’s built with the organization in a very short time. Replacing Justin Tucker isn’t just about being a good kicker; it’s about being reliable in the biggest moments. For over a decade, Tucker wasn’t just the most accurate kicker in NFL history—he was the Ravens’ safety net in clutch situations. Game on the line? Send out Tucker. Long field goal in bad weather? Still send out Tucker. That kind of trust is rare. Now, Tyler Loop is tasked with earning the same kind of faith.
Loop’s rise to this moment has been anything but ordinary. A sixth-round draft pick, he wasn’t handed the job—he had to fight for it. Every rep in practice, every kick during open training camp, every warm-up attempt, and every game snap was part of a job interview. Coaches watched his mechanics, his poise, and his ability to handle pressure. Fans saw it too. There were whispers early in camp when Loop started connecting consistently from 50-plus yards. Then came reports of him going perfect during long-distance field goal sessions. Still, nothing compares to doing it in a live game. When he stepped onto the field in Dallas and put up those numbers, it became crystal clear: he was the guy.
One of the most striking things about Loop is his composure. Rookie kickers, especially ones expected to follow a legend, often show nerves or hesitancy. Not Loop. He’s looked like a seasoned veteran, lining up with confidence, going through his pre-kick routine, and splitting the uprights. Coaches often say the mental side of kicking is just as important as the physical. Loop checks both boxes. His leg strength is obvious—he’s proven he has range from 55 and beyond—but it’s his mental makeup that might be even more impressive.
The ripple effects of this decision are huge. The Ravens’ offense now knows they have a guy who can turn stalled drives into points from nearly anywhere past midfield. That changes game strategy. It affects how they call plays on third and fourth down. It allows them to be more aggressive, knowing they’ve got a kicker who can bail them out if needed. And in tight AFC North battles, where games often come down to the final possession, that confidence can be the difference between a playoff berth and going home early.
This also sends a message to the rest of the team: competition matters, and jobs are earned, not given. Loop wasn’t a household name coming into camp. He had to compete, improve, and show consistency. That’s what every coach wants from a rookie—someone who steps in, embraces the challenge, and rises to the occasion. Loop did exactly that. The fact that John Harbaugh didn’t hesitate to name him the starter shows how much the coaching staff believes in him, and it sets the tone for the rest of the roster. Perform, and you’ll be rewarded.
But there’s no escaping the shadow cast by Justin Tucker. His legacy in Baltimore is ironclad. The most accurate kicker in league history, the author of countless game-winners, the guy with the 66-yard NFL record field goal—those are things no one can replicate. Loop doesn’t need to be Tucker. What he needs to be is the best version of himself. He’s got a chance to carve out his own legacy, one kick at a time. If he keeps hitting from long range and converting in clutch spots, he’ll earn his own standing ovation from Ravens fans.
Loop’s confidence seems to come from a deep love of the craft. He’s often described as a student of the game, obsessed with the small details that separate good kickers from great ones—plant foot placement, follow-through angles, wind adjustment, and mental prep. That discipline and focus are what allowed him to excel in college, and they’re translating quickly to the pro level. When you pair that technical attention with his big leg, you’ve got the makings of a special player.
In the bigger picture, Loop’s rise also reinforces the Ravens’ commitment to developing talent internally. Drafting a kicker is always a gamble—most teams don’t do it unless they truly believe they’ve found something special. Baltimore took that gamble with Loop, and so far, it looks like they nailed it. It also shows that the team is willing to evolve, even at positions that feel set in stone. Moving on from a legend like Tucker was never going to be easy, but they’ve done it with a clear plan and a confident next man up.
The pressure won’t go away anytime soon. Every miss will be magnified. Every make will be compared to the past. That’s the nature of following a future Hall of Famer. But if anyone is mentally ready to handle that scrutiny, it’s Tyler Loop. He’s already proved he can thrive in preseason, now he’ll have to show he can do it when the games count. September is coming fast, and with it, the bright lights, the noise, the drama—and the chance to make a name for himself.
In a league where kicking woes can sink even the best teams, the Ravens believe they’ve found their answer. They’ve watched this rookie step in, stay humble, work hard, and then let his leg do the talking. From his calm demeanor in practice to his explosion of leg power in games, Tyler Loop has passed every test thrown at him. And now, with the starting job officially his, he’ll get the chance to write his own story in Baltimore.
The fans might still miss Justin Tucker, and understandably so. But they also love winners. And if Tyler Loop keeps putting points on the board and booming kicks from downtown, he’ll hear his name chanted at M&T Bank Stadium in no time. It’s a new era in Baltimore—and it starts with Tyler Loop, the rookie with ice in his veins and a cannon for a leg.
