Known for their defense-first mindset, the Baltimore Ravens may be in for a major shake-up, and no, it’s not Lamar Jackson hurling 80-yard bombs. It’s more like… doing it the old-fashioned way. And it all comes down to—Justin Tucker, the most accurate kicker in the NFL. Tucker’s future with the Ravens is as dubious as a 60-yard field goal in a snowstorm in December, though.

And here’s the thing: Justin Tucker’s future is suddenly in doubt in Baltimore, adding another twist to the wild world of NFL contracts. Hold on, what? That’s correct: even the most ardent Ravens supporters had to halt their Lamar Jackson fan club meetings after John Harbaugh recently dropped a bombshell. The Ravens may be looking to add a kicker in the next draft.

Let the gasps begin. Getting all businesslike with @TheAthleticNFL, Harbaugh admitted, “It’s something we have to do, no matter what, at this point in time. You always got to do your due diligence.” All OK, but was it really necessary to discuss Tucker’s replacement? The dude is automatic from anywhere, even the moon, and he has been the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Why would the Ravens, a team whose offense depends on Justin Tucker’s accuracy, consider replacing him? More than a purple jersey at a tailgate, the Ravens are associated with the man who can make a 60-yard field goal while dozing off.

In case you’re wondering what due diligence in football actually means, the answer is straightforward: Although Tucker is a legend, Harbaugh is admitting that the Ravens cannot afford to put all of their eggs in one basket. Who can blame him for hedging his bets? Although we’re not precisely discussing a permanent replacement for Tucker, the organisation is considering the prospect of selecting a kicker in the draft, which is an indication that the Ravens are preparing for the worst.

Justin Tucker has been invaluable to the Ravens, always providing when the team most needs him. He maintained his status as the most accurate kicker in NFL history in 2024 by continuing to hit kicks with a 90% conversion rate on field goals. In addition, the man owns the Ravens’ biggest field goal ever, a 66-yarder against the Detroit Lions in 2021 that remains incredibly memorable.

But the guy is 34. Uncertainty looms over his future with the organisation as Harbaugh and the company consider their alternatives. The team is preparing as if they could have to bring in a new face to make the next game-winning field goal in Baltimore because Justin Tucker, like every other NFL player, has a limited shelf life.

Is it time to start looking for the next great kicker in Baltimore? Maybe. Is it time for the Ravens to overhaul their salary cap to make room for a new deal with Lamar Jackson? You bet.

After the message to Justin Tucker: The big Lamar Jackson announcement

Now, don’t assume that Baltimore’s turmoil is solely about kickers. In addition to discussing Justin Tucker’s future, John Harbaugh also provided us with an update on Lamar Jackson’s contract status, and this is a significant one.

Lamar Jackson is a walking highlight reel and the NFL MVP. Naturally, though, nothing in the NFL is ever completely safe, and Jackson’s contract predicament is no exception. Recall that the last time, there was a lot of back and forth. Lamar and the Ravens reached an agreement on a five-year, $260 million contract after months of turmoil and haggling. The problem is, it didn’t even take a full year for that deal to seem outdated.

Fast forward to 2025, even though Lamar Jackson’s deal is still very high. It is currently being evaluated in light of the quarterback market’s constant changes. Josh Allen‘s $250 million guarantee and Patrick Mahomes renegotiating his contract for much greater money are things of the past; 2023 is no longer relevant.

What does that mean for the Ravens? Harbaugh recently confessed that internal talks over Lamar’s future are taking place, but timing is everything. The team is still dealing with the huge salary cap issue at the moment. With Lamar Jackson’s $51.25 million base salary in 2025 and a $74.5 million cap hit looming large. And Harbaugh is attempting to maintain an equilibrium between handling the current situation and making plans for the unavoidable future financial changes.

“There’s been conversations about that internally, I know. “How far along that is or whatever, I don’t know. I definitely think it’s an obvious point … that’s going to continue to have to be addressed, really with all those guys. You just kinda manage that dance, the salary cap dance, and Lamar is the main part of that because he’s the franchise player.” Harbaugh admitted.

“That’s a possibility, I think. Sooner or later, definitely is gonna have to happen,” he continued. In other words, the team cannot prevent this. The expense of keeping Jackson will rise rapidly if they don’t come up with a solution soon, and they’ll need to use the cap even more creatively.

In the end, we are but spectators, as Harbaugh sets out the Ravens’ future chessboard. This season will go down in history if Lamar Jackson’s contract is extended or modified and the Ravens choose to select a kicker in the draft. But in the meantime, Baltimore supporters will have to wait for the tension to grow because, in Harbaugh’s grand scheme, nobody’s job—not even Tucker’s—is really safe.

Whether Justin Tucker’s golden leg is the next piece to be moved or whether this is just another game theory of Harbaugh, we have to wait and watch.