Context:

The Baltimore Ravens are entering a new era in their kicking game after releasing Justin Tucker, who had a career-worst season compounded by off-field allegations. This marks a significant shift for the team, which has relied on Tucker since 2011. To fill the void, the Ravens have drafted Tyler Loop, the first kicker they have ever drafted, and signed John Hoyland as an undrafted free agent. Loop has shown promise with his long-range kicking in college, while Hoyland boasts an impressive record from short distances. Coach John Harbaugh has expressed optimism about the performance of both kickers during practice, acknowledging that the competition will be an ongoing process throughout the offseason.

Dive Deeper:

• The Ravens' decision to release long-time kicker Justin Tucker was influenced by his poor performance during the last season and allegations off the field, prompting a need for a new kicker for the first time in over a decade.

• Tyler Loop, the first kicker ever drafted by the Ravens, was selected in the sixth round from Arizona, showcasing his ability with a significant 62-yard field goal among his college accomplishments.

• John Hoyland, signed as an undrafted player from Wyoming, demonstrated remarkable accuracy in his college career, missing only two out of 54 attempts from inside 40 yards.

• Coach John Harbaugh has praised both Loop and Hoyland for their impressive performances in early practices, noting their successful kicks during drills, which is a promising start for both athletes.

• The competition between Loop and Hoyland is expected to extend throughout the offseason, as the Ravens evaluate who will ultimately take on the role of kicker for the team.

• This transition marks the end of an era for the Ravens, as they will have a different kicker than Justin Tucker for the first time since his tenure began in 2011.

• The situation has generated significant interest and speculation among fans and the NFL community, observing how the Ravens navigate this unexpected change in their special teams lineup.

• The Baltimore Ravens are heading toward a kicker competition.

• That's certainly not something seen with that franchise in a while.

• But the release of Justin Tucker after a career-worst season and amid off-field allegations has changed everything for Baltimore's kicking game.

• The Ravens drafted Tyler Loop in the sixth round out of Arizona. And on Monday, they officially signed kicker John Hoyland as an undrafted player out of Wyoming.

• In his Cowboys career, Hoyland missed only twice on 54 attempts from inside 40 yards, per ESPN.

• Loop was the first kicker ever drafted by the Ravens. He was 6-for-9 in college from 50-plus, including a 62-yarder last season.

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• John Harbaugh recently praised both kickers, via ESPN:

• "Both kickers, I thought, looked really good today. So, we got them out there behind the line with the snap and everything, and I think they made them all, didn't they? So that's good to see. It's a good start that way."

• It might take a long portion of the offseason for this competition to get wherever it's going, but it'll be interesting to follow.

• At the end of it, the Ravens will have a kicker other than Tucker for the first time since 2011.

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