Former Ravens players, fans react to release of kicker Justin Tucker
Updated: 4:13 PM EDT May 6, 2025
Former Baltimore Ravens players and fans are mixed over the team releasing longtime kicker Justin Tucker.The announcement comes amid allegations from more than a dozen female massage therapists against Tucker of inappropriate behavior during therapy sessions, which Tucker has denied.”To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. I think that the allegations are obviously serious,” said former Ravens running back Obafemi Ayanbadejo.In a statement released Monday afternoon, Ravens Executive Vice President and general manager Eric DeCosta called the move a “football decision.””Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker.”Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade.”We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.”Baltimore signed Tucker as an undrafted free agent after the 2012 NFL draft. Since then, the Texas native has made seven Pro Bowls, including five straight from 2019-2023. Tucker signed a four-year extension with Baltimore in 2022.The Ravens have since drafted a kicker in the 2025 NFL draft, Tyler Loop, out of Arizona. “I think it was a football decision because they drafted a kicker. So, I think they drafted his replacement to just say, ‘We have to move on from you,'” said Kevin Davis, a Ravens fan.Some fans pointed to the last season, which was not Tucker’s best.”I was really shocked because Justin Tucker is a good kicker, but I think they released him because of his last couple performances,” said Ali Richardson, a Ravens fan.Some said they think there was another consideration amid the allegations against Tucker. “His play hasn’t been that of the best kicker in the league for a little bit now, so I think there’s some fact to that, but I also think the Ravens took the high road, which is what the Ravens tend to do,” Ayanbadejo told 11 News.While the playing careers of Ayanbadejo and Tucker did not overlap, Ayanbadejo said he knows Tucker as a gentleman. But he also admits the allegations are serious.”There has to be an acknowledgement of a mistake and ownership of a mistake before you can earn that trust back,” Ayanbadejo told 11 News.Ayanbadejo said, either way, Tucker is going to go down as the best kicker in Ravens history, potentially the best in NFL history.Tucker, 35, is far from the first NFL player to face such accusations, so Ayanbadejo said Tucker could still have a chance to land on his feet.”In regard to his future, I think there’s a 50/50 chance that somebody will give him another shot. Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s not for me to say. I just know how the NFL works, and when you’re talented — even when you have missteps — if you can sort of clear those things up, maybe you get another shot, another bite at the apple,” Ayanbadejo told 11 News.WBAL-TV 11 News reached out to the firm representing Tucker several times for a comment, but did not receive a response.
BALTIMORE —
Former Baltimore Ravens players and fans are mixed over the team releasing longtime kicker Justin Tucker.
The announcement comes amid allegations from more than a dozen female massage therapists against Tucker of inappropriate behavior during therapy sessions, which Tucker has denied.
“To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. I think that the allegations are obviously serious,” said former Ravens running back Obafemi Ayanbadejo.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, Ravens Executive Vice President and general manager Eric DeCosta called the move a “football decision.”
“Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker.”Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade.
“We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.”
Baltimore signed Tucker as an undrafted free agent after the 2012 NFL draft. Since then, the Texas native has made seven Pro Bowls, including five straight from 2019-2023. Tucker signed a four-year extension with Baltimore in 2022.
The Ravens have since drafted a kicker in the 2025 NFL draft, Tyler Loop, out of Arizona.
“I think it was a football decision because they drafted a kicker. So, I think they drafted his replacement to just say, ‘We have to move on from you,'” said Kevin Davis, a Ravens fan.
Some fans pointed to the last season, which was not Tucker’s best.
“I was really shocked because Justin Tucker is a good kicker, but I think they released him because of his last couple performances,” said Ali Richardson, a Ravens fan.
Some said they think there was another consideration amid the allegations against Tucker.
“His play hasn’t been that of the best kicker in the league for a little bit now, so I think there’s some fact to that, but I also think the Ravens took the high road, which is what the Ravens tend to do,” Ayanbadejo told 11 News.
While the playing careers of Ayanbadejo and Tucker did not overlap, Ayanbadejo said he knows Tucker as a gentleman. But he also admits the allegations are serious.
“There has to be an acknowledgement of a mistake and ownership of a mistake before you can earn that trust back,” Ayanbadejo told 11 News.
Ayanbadejo said, either way, Tucker is going to go down as the best kicker in Ravens history, potentially the best in NFL history.
Tucker, 35, is far from the first NFL player to face such accusations, so Ayanbadejo said Tucker could still have a chance to land on his feet.
“In regard to his future, I think there’s a 50/50 chance that somebody will give him another shot. Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s not for me to say. I just know how the NFL works, and when you’re talented — even when you have missteps — if you can sort of clear those things up, maybe you get another shot, another bite at the apple,” Ayanbadejo told 11 News.
WBAL-TV 11 News reached out to the firm representing Tucker several times for a comment, but did not receive a response.