Justin Tucker

Ravens Draft Rumors: Edge, Kicker, DL, CB, S

The Ravens are well-known for their draft approach of taking the best players available regardless of position, though they’re not above taking a player at a position of need if they believe it’s at a good value. That being said, Tony Pauline of sportskeeda claimed today that Baltimore is “believed to be in the market for an edge rusher in the first round.”

The Ravens aren’t likely to reach for a player at a position at which they’ve already spent a 2024 third-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, and 2021 first-round pick. Because of this, I would think that this would only be true if a top-ranked pass rusher falls to them in the back half of the first round.

Obviously, a player like Abdul Carter isn’t expected to be around by the 27th overall pick. After that, anything can happen, and while it might not be likely, it wouldn’t be a surprise if players like Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, or Mykel Williams were around that late. Options like Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Pearce are expected to be around in that range, and Baltimore could certainly pursue them, but only if they perceive them to be one of the top players available.

Here are notes on a few other positions of focus for Baltimore when next week’s draft occurs:

  • Ongoing legal issues with future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker have the Ravens in an uncertain position on special teams for the first time since Tucker signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2012. As a result, Baltimore has been doing its research on kickers in this year’s draft class and could draft a kicker for the first time in their franchise’s history, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. The Ravens are the only team not to have drafted a kicker in the common draft era, and general manager Eric DeCosta admits “there’s no blueprint for finding a kicker.” If they find the right kicker at the right time, though, we could see the selection made. Two options on the table could be in-state rivals Andres Borregales out of Miami (FL) and Ryan Fitzgerald out of Florida State.
  • Following the retirement of Michael Pierce and the coming contract year for Travis Jones, defensive tackle is a position of need for Baltimore in this year’s draft. DeCosta confirmed as much, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, calling the position a priority. DeCosta called this year’s class fairly deep at defensive line and claimed “there’s an opportunity for (them) to get better” at the position.
  • Another position that DeCosta singled out was cornerback. After losing Brandon Stephens and Tre’Davious White to free agency, the team added Chidobe Awuzie. They also roster recent draft picks Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa as depth pieces. While DeCosta didn’t guarantee anything, he told the media that “it’s a pretty safe bet that the Ravens will be drafting at least one cornerback next week,” per Zrebiec. The team is likely to start Nate Wiggins and Awuzie on the outside with Marlon Humphrey manning the nickelback role, so they could look for an upgrade over Awuzie, but at the very least, adding depth is a necessity.
  • DeCosta didn’t mince words about the safety position either, per Zrebiec. Despite being “fairly confident” that Ar’Darius Washington will return after presumably signing his exclusive rights free agent tender, DeCosta said that it was “more than likely” that Baltimore would still add a safety in the draft, as well. Washington and Kyle Hamilton would return as starters from last year, but the only depth behind them currently are two rookies from last year, Sanoussi Kane (seventh round) and Beau Brade (undrafted).

Ravens K Justin Tucker Addresses Latest Sexual Misconduct Allegations

A second wave of accusations against Justin Tucker has brought the total number of women alleging sexual misconduct at massage therapy sessions to 16. The Ravens’ kicker has denied any wrongdoing already, and his second set of public remarks on the matter repeat that stance.

I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider,” Tucker’s most recent statement reads in part (via Outkick.com). Throughout the last four weeks, I have spent countless hours replaying every interaction I have had with bodywork professionals over the last thirteen years. I can assure whoever is reading this that I have never intended to disrespect anyone, cross any boundary, or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way whatsoever.”

Earlier this month, a report from the Baltimore Banner publicized allegations of inappropriate conduct on Tucker’s part during message sessions from 2012-16. Tucker unequivocally denied the claims, doing so again when another three therapists made similar accusations. No criminal investigation has been opened, and no civil claims have been filed.

Tucker’s attorneys have pushed back against the claims he was banned from a number of Baltimore-are spas in response to the alleged misconduct. A reply from the law firm representing many of the accusers says: “We do not represent the spa owners, only the affected therapists. Whether the owners acted appropriately and in protection of their respective employees when faced with complaints is a question better directed to the them”

In recent days, the NFL opened its own probe to investigate a potential personal conduct policy violation; interviews with the accusers have begun and will continue in the near future. When addressing the subject at the Combine earlier this week, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait for that process to unfold before making a decision on Tucker’s future with the team. The five-time All-Pro has spent his entire 13-year career in Baltimore.

Head coach John Harbaugh said at the Combine (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) the Ravens are evaluating kicker prospects, noting the team intended to do so before the Tucker allegations went public. Given the 2010s All-Decade Team member’s age (35) and struggles early in the campaign (resulting in a field goal accuracy rate of 73.3%, by far the lowest of his career) it would not come as a shock if the Ravens elected to move on this offseason. Three years remain on Tucker’s contract; releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would yield $4.2MM in cap savings while generating $2.87MM in dead money.

NFL Begins Justin Tucker Investigation

FEBRUARY 25: When speaking about Tucker’s situation at the Combine, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait until the league’s investigation has concluded before making a decision (h/t Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). DeCosta has spoken with Tucker as well as with the NFL (as noted by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec). Until a final report from the league’s investigators is produced, Tucker will thus remain in the organization.

FEBRUARY 21: NFL investigators have begun interviewing women who have accused Justin Tucker of inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions, the Baltimore Banner’s Brenna Smith, Julie Scharper, Jonas Shaffer and Giana Han report.

A league investigation became known when the first report of alleged sexual misconduct against the Ravens kicker surfaced. After the latest round of accusers surfaced, it became a given the accomplished special-teamer would be under an NFL probe soon. It is not known how many accusers have met with the league thus far, but the Banner reports the investigation began this week and will continue with at least two more accuser meetings on tap in the next few weeks.

Sixteen women at eight spas and wellness centers have accused Tucker of sexual misconduct during sessions, with reports of the accusations coming out shortly after the Ravens’ season ended last month. Tucker has denied any wrongdoing. The women who have spoken with NFL investigators have done so after being made available by their lawyers, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.

The initial report in January, also from the Banner, alleged that inappropriate conduct took place at four high-end Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Tucker was accused of “exposing his genitals,” touching two of the therapists with his erect penis, and leaving “what they believed to be ejaculate” on massages tables after three of the sessions. Two spas reportedly banned the seven-time Pro Bowler, while several of the therapists either ended sessions early or refused to work with him again.

A woman who is part of the second round of known Tucker accusers produced an internal report about her interaction with the kicker. The claims the massage therapists have lodged range from encounters beginning in 2012 up until 2016. While the lack of any criminal or civil lawsuits separate this Tucker matter from the Deshaun Watson situation earlier this decade, the increasing volume of accusers reminds of what became a career-defining issue for the former Pro Bowl quarterback.

Whereas Watson’s talent and positional value landed him another chance — via a historic trade with the Browns — Tucker is now 35 playing a position much lower on the NFL totem pole. He also struggled to match his All-Pro-level form in 2024. The news of alleged inappropriate behavior threatens the All-Decade kicker’s status with the Ravens and in the NFL, at this point.

More Accusations Emerge Against Ravens’ Justin Tucker

2025 continues to be a rough year for Ravens veteran Justin Tucker. After underwhelming at points in the kicking game the past two seasons, Tucker opened the new year disappointing off the field, as well. Near the end of January, Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct from six massage therapists; three days later, three more therapists came out with more allegations. This morning Julie Scharper, Brenna Smith, and Justin Fenton of The Baltimore Banner released a report detailing the accounts of seven more massage therapists with similar allegations.

The initial report in January, also from the Banner, alleged that inappropriate conduct took place at four high-end Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Tucker was accused of “exposing his genitals,” touching two of the therapists with his erect penis, and leaving “what they believed to be ejaculate” on massages tables after three of the sessions. Two spas reportedly banned the seven-time Pro Bowler, while several of the therapists either ended sessions early or refused to work with him again.

The second report in early February came from three women who worked at the same Baltimore men’s spa. One woman from that group produced an internal report regarding her interactions with Tucker from 2015. The new report includes accusers from two luxurious spas from the Baltimore area, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel and the Baltimore Spa & Salon at the Ritz-Carlton Residences. The allegations are similar, including reports that Tucker had an erection for most of a massage, intentionally exposed his genitals, brushed some therapists’ thighs with his fingers, and left what appeared to be ejaculate on the table.

Now totaling 16 accusers, all women reportedly claim that the 2010’s All-Decade Team member’s actions date back to 2012, when the veteran kicker first arrived from Austin as a rookie. The claims see his actions continue until 2016.

As his representatives did after the first allegations, Tucker’s attorneys have denied any wrongdoing and the claim of his being banned. According to the Banner, his legal team even “provided a sworn declaration from the owner of Baltimore Spa & Salon,” which has since closed and been replaced by a new spa, that she never received any complaints about Tucker. As the report adds, though, the therapists in question did not alert their supervisors of Tucker’s actions for fear of losing their jobs.

An NFL investigation into this situation looms, while the Ravens continue to monitor the situation. Three years (but no guaranteed base salaries) remain on Tucker’s pact, and a post-June 1 release would yield $4.2MM in cap savings and create $2.87MM in dead money for 2025 while bringing about an end to the 35-year-old’s Baltimore tenure. Any further developments on this front will continue to shape how the situation is handled.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Ravens’ Justin Tucker Accused Of Sexual Misconduct By Several Massage Therapists; Kicker Denies Allegations

SATURDAY, 10:45am: Tucker is facing allegations from three new massage therapists, per Justin Fenton of Baltimore Banner. These allegations come from three women who worked at the same Baltimore men’s spa. One woman produced an internal report regarding her interactions with the player from 2015.

In response to the latest allegations, Tucker’s lawyers told Baltimore Banner to refer to Tucker’s statement that referred to accusations as “unequivocally false.”

THURSDAY, 2:00pm: Six massage therapists have accused Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior during treatments that occurred between 2012-16, the Baltimore Banner’s Julie Scharper, Brenna Smith and Justin Fenton report.

The alleged inappropriate conduct took place at four high-end Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Tucker is accused of “exposing his genitals,” touching two of the therapists with his erect penis and leaving “what they believed to be ejaculate” on massages tables after three of the sessions. Two spas banned the decorated Baltimore kicker, according to the Banner, while several of the therapists either ended sessions early or refused to work with him again.

Attorneys representing Tucker deny any wrongdoing, including any bans taking place. In a statement posted to X, Tucker said the massage therapists’ allegations are “unequivocally false.” Tucker said he has never been accused of any inappropriate behavior by a massage therapist and accuses the Baltimore Banner of “misconstruing events as nefarious and relying on third party speculation.”

The women who are accusing Tucker of misconduct during sessions are unnamed. Tucker’s lawyers, per the Banner, mentioned more than a dozen therapists who had worked with Tucker. Four of them responded to questions, after the kicker’s representation insisted inquiries go through the Ravens, with positive accounts of interactions with Tucker.

The Banner, however, details the alleged instances of sexual misconduct. And it will cause issues for the future Hall of Fame specialist. An NFL statement (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport) indicates the league had not been apprised of these allegations until recently. A league investigation is on tap. Tucker has not been charged with a crime, and the Thursday report does not mention any civil suits having been filed. Tucker could still be subject to an NFL suspension under the personal conduct policy.

Tucker, 35, has been the Ravens’ kicker since 2012. In that time, he has built one of the greatest resumes in the history of the position. The eight-time All-Pro is regarded by many to be the best kicker in NFL history. Tucker is coming off a down season, having missed a career-most eight field goal attempts. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said after the team’s divisional-round loss the franchise expects Tucker to bounce back and remain one of the game’s best. He is under contract through the 2027 season.

Ravens Remain Committed To Justin Tucker

Week 13 marked a continuation of Ravens kicker Justin Tucker‘s struggles. Questions were once again raised about a change at the position, but nothing on that front is imminent.

Tucker missed two field goals and an extra point during the Ravens’ five-point loss to the Eagles. It marked the first time in the five-time All-Pro’s decorated career he missed three kicks in a single contest, and it represented another poor outing in 2024. Tucker’s field goal accuracy now sits at 70.4% on the year, easily the lowest of his NFL tenure.

“If you’re asking me, ‘Are we going to move on from Justin Tucker?’ I’m not really planning on doing that right now,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the game (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “I don’t think that’d be wise.”

In place with Baltimore since 2012, Tucker has spent much of his career as one of the league’s top kickers. His resume includes a Super Bowl title, a spot on the 2010s All-Decade team, seven Pro Bowl nods and the all-time record for the longest made field goal in league history (a 66-yarder from 2021). At the start of the season, the 35-year-old’s career accuracy mark of 90.2% was the highest in NFL history.

On multiple occasions in 2024, however, Tucker’s misses have proven costly in close Ravens losses. Overall, he has gone only 9-for-17 on field goals beyond 40 yards while remaining perfect within that distance. The Texas product’s two missed extra points match the most he has had on that front in a single campaign. Baltimore’s bye comes in Week 14, giving Tucker and the team time to reset before the final stretch of the campaign.

Tucker signed a $6MM-per-year extension in 2022; at the time, that made him the league’s highest-paid kicker. Jake Elliott (Eagles) and Harrison Butker (Chiefs) have since matched and surpassed that figure, respectively, but expectations understandably remain high in Tucker’s case given his track record and his contract. He is due $4.2MM in 2025 and ’26, with an increase in pay to $5.15MM for the final year of the pact. No base salary is guaranteed beyond the current season, something which could lead to increased speculation about a kicker change relatively soon. For now, though, Tucker is set to remain in his current role.

Contract Details: Ravens, 49ers, Sutton, Bates

The Ravens reworked a handful of contracts this week. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team restructured linebacker Roquan Smith‘s contract. ESPN’s Field Yates adds that defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and kicker Justin Tucker also reworked their pacts.

Smith’s restructuring helped create $4.875MM in cap space, per Rapoport. Smith is playing on the second year of a five-year, $100MM extension he signed with the Ravens in 2023. In total, the three recent contract restructurings will total $9.3MM in savings, per Yates.

GM Eric DeCosta recently hinted that the team may be over the cap after adding a long list of practice squad players (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The executive was confident the organization would quickly get cap compliant, and it sounds like the front office also managed to squeeze out some extra financial wiggle room heading into the regular season.

More cap restructurings from around the NFL…

  • Deebo Samuel provided the 49ers with some cap space the other day, with the wideout’s restructuring providing the team with a whopping $16.4MM in cap space (via Yates). Samuel is still playing on the three-year, $73.5MM extension he inked with San Francisco in 2022. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins also recently reworked his contract, saving the 49ers $5.43MM against the cap, per Yates. The team specifically converted $6.79MM of Collins’ upcoming salary into a signing bonus, adding three void years in the process (per Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac).
  • The Broncos continue to commit to wideout Courtland Sutton, at least for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. The team restructured the receiver’s contract, helping open $9.5MM in cap space, per Yates. Specifically, the team converted $11.875MM of Sutton’s $13MM salary into a bonus, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. The reduced financial flexibility reduces the chances of a Sutton trade during the upcoming season.
  • The Falcons opened up about $7.5MM in cap space by reworking Jessie Bates‘ contract, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The team converted $11.25MM of his 2024 base salary into a signing bonus, increasing his 2025 ($22.25MM) and 2026 ($22.27MM) cap hits in the process.
  • The Panthers reworked a pair of contracts, according to Yates. Both offensive tackle Taylor Moton and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle helped provide the Panthers with some breathing room, as the duo’s restructurings created $10.7MM in cap room.
  • The Saints opened $3.5MM in cap space by reworking Juwan Johnson‘s deal, per Yates. The tight end inked a two-year extension with the team ahead of the 2023 campaign, with $11.5MM of his $12MM earnings guaranteed.

Ravens Extend K Justin Tucker

The Ravens have enjoyed historic levels of success in the kicking game for the past decade, and will likely be able to do so for many years into the future. The team announced on Monday an agreement with Justin Tucker on a four-year extension.

One week ago, Chris Boswell signed an extension with the Steelers. At a rate of $5MM per season, that deal placed him into a tie with Tucker atop the list of the league’s highest-paid kickers. The latter’s new deal, as expected, has moved him back into the lead; ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the deal includes $24MM in new money (for an AAV of $6MM), along with $17.5MM in guarantees and a signing bonus of $11.5MM.

The 32-year-old had two years remaining on his current deal, an extension signed in 2019. That contract was also four years in length, and carried a record-setting value of $5MM per season. Tucker was due $3.5MM in each of the next two years, but his scheduled cap hits were just under $6MM over that span.

After joining the team as a UDFA in 2012, the Texas alum won the starting job and has put together a decorated career since. A member of that year’s Super Bowl-wining team, he has been named a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro five times each, and was a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team.

Tucker remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history, with a career mark of over 91%. Last season, he added to his collection of all-time records with a 66-yard field goal against the Lions. His success (and, perhaps to an extent, recent developments in the kicking world) has spurred another lucrative new deal.

With Tucker now on the books through 2027, the Ravens have even more certainty with respect to the league’s most decorated player at his position. The team entered the day with less than $8MM in cap space, so this deal may create some added wiggle room. In any event, Tucker’s long-term future is secure.

Ravens, Justin Tucker Agree To Extension

The Ravens are giving kicker Justin Tucker a four-year, $23.05MM extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal will also include an $8MM signing bonus and $12.5MM fully guaranteed in the first two seasons. The mammoth deal sets new records in each of those categories for kickers. 

With the new deal, Tucker goes from uncertainty beyond 2019 to a deal that will keep him tied to Baltimore through the 2023 season. As he looks ahead to his 30th birthday in November, the new contract could secure him for the rest of his playing days. Then again, he’s showing no signs of slowing down, so he could go the Adam Vinatieri route and play well beyond this deal.

Last year, Tucker nailed 89.7% of his field goal tries, including 5 of 7 attempts from 50+ yards. For his career, Tucker owns a 90.1% field goal percentage with a 99.6% success rate on extra points.

AFC Notes: Brown, Steelers, Broncos, Ravens

While the Antonio Brown saga might seem like it’ll never end, a resolution could actually be forced relatively soon. “The Steelers will try to trade Brown sometime during a five-day window that begins March 13, when the new NFL season opens, and March 17, the date on which the Steelers would have to pay him a $2.5 million roster bonus”, writes Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

It makes sense why the Steelers have no interest in paying him the roster bonus, and if that’s the case we should know where Brown will be playing next year within the next couple of weeks. Steelers GM Kevin Colbert confirmed yesterday that three teams have inquired about a trade for Brown. Having a set date they need to trade him by would seem to reduce Pittsburgh’s leverage in trade talks. League executives are already saying they don’t expect the Steelers to fetch more than a third round pick.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • The Broncos won’t be re-signing cornerback Tramaine Brock this offseason, according to Mike Klis of Denver 9 News. Klis also writes “the odds aren’t great for” fellow cornerback Bradley Roby being brought back, so Denver’s secondary will be undergoing a significant amount of turnover this offseason. Denver’s once vaunted ‘No Fly Zone’ is a thing of the past, and the team needs a young cornerback to develop next to Chris Harris Jr. Brock is 30, and coming off a down year, he could struggle to find a ton of interest on the open market. Roby was Denver’s first round pick back in 2014 and started 15 games last year, but has mostly been a disappointment and fallen out of favor with the front office.
  • The Ravens signed cornerback Tavon Young to an extension a couple of days ago, and they might not be done handing out new deals just yet. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, outside linebacker Matt Judon, and kicker Justin Tucker are all “logical candidates” for extensions as they prepare to head into the last years of their contracts, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (Twitter link). Tucker remains the league’s best kicker, so the team will almost certainly prioritize a new deal for him that should break records.
  • In case you missed it, the Patriots’ McCourty twins have both announced they plan to continue playing in 2019.