The Baltimore Ravens announced on Monday that they have released Justin Tucker, and many people had the same reaction to the reason the team gave for the decision.
In his statement announcing that Tucker has been released, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta began by writing, “Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances.” DeCosta also said the team made the move after “considering our current roster.”
What DeCosta did not do was allude in any way to the multiple troubling allegations Tucker has faced this offseason. You can read the full statement:
Here is the full statement from #Ravens GM Eric DeCosta on releasing Justin Tucker, who is accused of inappropriate behavior by Baltimore massage parlors. The team — which drafted Tyler Loop — says it’s a football decision. pic.twitter.com/MCCHUtnJSy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 5, 2025
Tucker is coming off a rough season in which he made just 22/30 field goal attempts. The 35-year-old was 11/19 on field goal attempts from 40 yards or longer, which is an area from which he had previously been almost automatic.
Still, most people doubt that the Ravens would have parted ways with arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history after just one bad season. That’s why everyone said the same thing about DeCosta claiming Baltimore released Tucker for “football” reasons.
I’m going to start saying all my choices in life are “football decisions”
— Tucker D. Franklin (@tuckerdfranklin) May 5, 2025
Ravens release Justin Tucker in something called a “football decision”… https://t.co/mgbfha4hkz pic.twitter.com/fkOTogRaBx
— Doctor Disney (@Doctor_Disney) May 5, 2025
Not a roster decision. Say what it is.
— Misinformation (@LegazyLG) May 5, 2025
This is NOT a football decision.
— Verse Fantasy (@VerseFantasy_) May 5, 2025
“football decision” we know why he really got the boot brotha 😭
— BINK🎯 (@therealbink1) May 5, 2025
Tucker has vehemently denied the claims that were made about his behavior toward massage therapists. There have been no charges brought against him or disciplinary action from the NFL.
The Ravens drafted a kicker in the sixth round, which is another reason their decision to cut Tucker is not all that stunning. The question is whether they would have made the move in the absence of the allegations against Tucker, but we will likely never know.
