The legacy of former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has taken another significant blow with the recent breaking of one of his NFL records. Over the past year, Tucker has faced challenges both on and off the field, marking a stark contrast to his otherwise illustrious career that many believe deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame.
During the last season, Tucker experienced his most difficult performance, missing a career-high eight field goal attempts and tying his previous record for missed extra points with two. This struggle led him to temporarily lose his title as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, although he managed to reclaim it later in the season.
Things took a turn for the worse when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Tucker, leading to a suspension by the NFL for the first ten weeks of the 2025 season. Despite these controversies, he continues to assert his innocence regarding the claims made against him.
In response to Tucker”s situation, the Ravens chose to draft rookie Tyler Loop, marking the first time in the franchise”s 30-year history that a kicker was selected in the draft. Meanwhile, Tucker”s former understudy from the University of Texas, Cameron Dicker, surpassed him on the all-time accuracy list with a career field goal percentage of 94, achieved after Week 2 of the 2025 regular season.
As if that wasn”t enough, Tucker witnessed another of his records fall when Cam Little, a second-year kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, officially broke his previous record for the longest successful field goal in NFL history. Little”s impressive 68-yard kick against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9 came after he had unofficially broken the record with a 70-yarder during a preseason game. These achievements are part of a trend in the league where kickers with exceptional leg strength are becoming more common.
Little”s record-breaking kicks were particularly notable as they occurred at the end of the first half of each game, reminiscent of Tucker”s own 66-yard game-winner against the Detroit Lions in 2021, which had required a fortunate bounce off the crossbar to go through the uprights.
The landscape for kickers is evolving, and Little is not the only rising star capable of making long-distance kicks. There have already been six attempts of 60 yards or more this season, indicating that records like Tucker”s may not last as long as his did. Brandon Aubrey, a First Team All-Pro kicker for the Dallas Cowboys, has yet to break the record primarily due to a lack of opportunities, but his impressive 65-yard kick against the Ravens last season showcased his potential.
Despite the recent setbacks, Tucker will remain a pivotal figure in NFL history. His reputation extends beyond mere records; he is recognized for his ability to perform under pressure and for his remarkable consistency over the years, making his rare misses truly surprising prior to the decline in his performance last season.
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