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Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens Playing Game of Chicken

By Joe Serpico

Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) signals to wide receiver Kaelin Clay (81) (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) signals to wide receiver Kaelin Clay (81) (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Tucker is threatening not to re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens if no long-term deal is made by today’s 4 p.m. deadline. Who will give in first?

Things have changed quickly in the past 24 hours.

Hours after I debated that Justin Tucker should play this year out on his franchise tag, he upped the ante by telling the Baltimore Ravens that if no deal is in place by the deadline, he is out the door next season.

Tucker’s agent, Rob Riche, had this to say about his client’s feelings on the current negotiations:

“Justin’s disillusioned with the process right now and the Ravens’ position with him on his contract. If we don’t get a long-term deal done by Friday, Justin will not entertain offers from [the] Ravens after the season.”

Talk about laying down the gauntlet.

There have been reports that the Ravens’ brass has recently offered less money than prior offers, while Tucker feels he should be one, if not, the highest paid kicker in the NFL.

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    • Tucker’s desire to get paid comes after making the league minimum in his first three seasons in the league. He made $2.356 million as a restricted free agent last year and regardless if a deal is reached today or not, he is getting $4.5 million this year by already signing his franchise tender.

    Where the Ravens are in a position of control is they have Tucker under control for this season. They could keep him for another season by placing the franchise tag on him once again, but that would cost the team $5.4 million. That is a good chunk of change to be tied up to a kicker, even if he is one of the best.

    The mistake Tucker’s agent made by making that statement is he put his client in a position where he is going to be asked all season long about this future plans. Teams do not like distractions and kickers need confidence when it matters.

    Few expected things to go sour between the two parties. Leading up to yesterday it seemed all but certain that a deal would get done, but as the deadline drew closer, I had a hunch that Tucker could ride this one out.

    Next: Tucker Should Play Under Franchise Tag

    Will Tucker actually leave the Ravens? Would they tag him again next offseason? Stay tuned. This could be a saga to follow all season long.

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