Replacing a legend is never easy—especially when that legend is an all-time stats leader such as Justin Tucker. But that’s exactly the challenge rookie kicker Tyler Loop signed up for in Charm City. Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is rolling the dice on the sixth-rounder in 2025, and while it may seem like a long shot, Loop isn’t flinching. In fact, he’s showing up at M&T Bank Stadium with something even stronger than a leg—confidence.

“I think it can be pressure if you focus on it,” Loop said, as per SI, brushing off the elephant in the room. “But if we’re focused on what I can control, my process, all that stuff, it just, it’s one of those things.” Drafted at No. 186 overall, the rookie knows he’s walking into the shadow of a five-time first-team All-Pro and the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Now the initial skepticism seems to be melting. Finally, Harbaugh has seen something he likes.

“Tyler, I thought Tyler did a nice job, he stubbed his toe on the ground a little-bit in that one and just kind of made the ball move a little-bit left,” he said in the recent press conference. “Perfect other than that, but to see him bounce back on the next kick… I thought was really a big step up for him.” That bounce-back ability? It’s what separates projects from prospects.

Moreover, Loop did lit it up in camp. The 24-year-old went 11-for-11 in his latest training camp session, drilling a 60-yarder that had Ravens Flock buzzing. Yet, perfection still escapes him. Loop missed one kick, and Harbaugh didn’t sugarcoat it. “Did that introduce any more uncertainty in your mind… or what was your takeaway from tonight? No, I wouldn’t say that kick… did not introduce more uncertainty, no.” The coach saw the misfire, understood the cause, and moved on.

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Finally, Harbaugh delivered the verdict everyone in the Charm City was waiting for. “And I just thought the way he responded was really good, and he hit the ball really well tonight. So I would say tonight was a, he passed the test tonight. Might not have been a plus plus, but b plus, you know?” With that, Loop might not be Tucker 2.0—but he’s making waves in Ravens camp already.

Harbaugh finally sees spark in Loop’s leg

So far, the Ravens’ rookie kicker is doing more than just showing up—he’s showing out. Tyler Loop lit up the open practice on August 5, drilling all seven of his field goal attempts from distances as far back as 55 yards. In front of thousands at The Bank, he made sure Baltimore’s special teams looked anything but uncertain. And just when fans thought they’d seen enough, Loop followed that up on Sunday by booming a 60-yarder, arms raised and finger twirling, like a guy who already knew the ball was sailing through.

Naturally, confidence like that caught the coach’s eye. “The second it left my foot, I’m like, ‘There we go,’” Loop told ESPN. That wasn’t just rookie optimism either—John Harbaugh backed it up. “He’s kicking well enough to win the job,” Harbaugh said. But he also reminded everyone, “It’s going to be the [preseason] games that’s going to mean the most,” via NBC Sports. Still, 51-of-55 in team drills? That’s not easy to ignore.

Then again, the Ravens have already shown where they stand. Special teams coordinator Randy Brown scouted 30-plus kickers before the draft—yet Baltimore didn’t bring in a single vet to compete. Harbaugh even graded Loop’s showing at M&T Bank as “A++.” The job may still be open, but Loop’s stock is clearly rising.

And as punter Jordan Stout put it, “He’s confident enough now, in the best way possible.” That’s exactly what the Ravens Flock wants from their new leg.