NFL, American Football Herren, USA Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens Dec 21, 2024 Baltimore, Maryland, USA Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker 9 warms up in the end zone before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium Maryland USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTommyxGilliganx 241221_twg_gb3_002
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens Dec 21, 2024 Baltimore, Maryland, USA Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker 9 warms up in the end zone before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium Maryland USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTommyxGilliganx 241221_twg_gb3_002
Nov 25, 2025, 4:13 PM CUT
Suspended NFL Star Gets New Rope as Justin Tucker Lands New Orleans Saints' Tryout
The New Orleans Saints have a serious problem. We're not talking about their 2-9 record, but the difficulties. We're talking about the missed field goals. To combat the problem, the Saints are holding tryouts and Justin Tucker is in the list.
Tucker is back in the NFL spotlight just months after serving a suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Months after the allegations surfaced in January, the Baltimore Ravens released Justin Tucker back in May. A little over a month later, the NFL banned him for 10 weeks. But why are the Saints holding tryouts?
Well, their kicker, Blake Grupe had two missed field goals in the red zone against the Falcons in Week 12. The Saints want to have a couple of options, and as head coach Kellen Moore explained, it doesn't mean Grupe is out. "Blake's a good kicker in this league. Obviously, it's unfortunate we've missed a few lately and so he's had some really good moments."
Why Tucker? Well, as Moore revealed, "He's been one of their leaders for an extended period of time with a very successful team and so obviously there's been some stuff that's been unfortunate. He's gone through an experience, and I think it's about collecting what that experience was, and we'll evaluate the football aspect of it and we'll evaluate everything else as well."
For Justin Tucker, this signals the first real opportunity he has had to get back on the field since the investigation began. Picked up as an undrafted rookie by the Ravens, he has seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl ring. But despite all the accolades, 2024 was his toughest season yet, finishing with a career-low 73.3% field-goal rate. But wait. Tucker isn't the only one on the list.
Former Browns kicker Cade York is also getting a look. Alongside him, Charlie Smyth is in the mix. Smyth joined the Saints last season, coming through the International Player Pathway. And while he's never kicked in a regular season game, this could very well be his opportunity. Coach Moore even emphasized he would be a part of the evaluation process.
Whether this becomes a comeback story or just a short chapter remains to be seen. What do you think of the Saints' decision? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Mohd Mudabbir Ansari
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar