Randy Brown didn’t mince words. The Ravens’ senior special teams coach told GM Eric DeCosta weeks ago, “There’s one guy I really covet.” And on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, Baltimore made it official by selecting Arizona’s Tyler Loop with the 186th overall pick. That marked the first time in Ravens’ franchise history that a kicker had ever been drafted. You don’t break a 30-year streak unless you’ve got serious conviction.

Now, let’s not pretend there isn’t some smoke here. Baltimore hasn’t said a word about moving on from Justin Tucker. But drafting Loop, days after Tucker worked out at the facility, says what they haven’t. And look, the Tucker situation isn’t simple. With a league investigation still ongoing into multiple allegations of misconduct, Baltimore might be bracing for what’s next.

And the next? Well, the rookie came out firing. At minicamp, Loop casually drilled a 75-yard field goal. The sheer effortlessness of the hit is what caught the viewers’ eyes. But like one comment read: “Let’s see if he can do it under pressure.”

But don’t let the rookie fool you because Loop’s made 67 of 80 career field goals at Arizona (83.75%) and nearly every extra point he ever attempted (98.4%). He even hit a 62-yarder last year. His field goal percentage may have dipped year by year, but Ravens coaches weren’t worried. Because his tape was clean. Every kick looked the same. “He’s a kicking nerd,” John Harbaugh said with a grin. Well, nerd is a compliment here.

Loop’s journey wasn’t pristine. He had three different special teams coaches in college and issues with snap-and-hold consistency. But when it mattered, he showed up. At the Combine, he nailed 13 of 14 field goals—including a 60-yarder. That’s what made him Mel Kiper Jr.’s top kicker. When the Patriots took Andres Borregales earlier in Round 6, Loop thought maybe he was headed elsewhere. Then the call came from Baltimore. “Total elation,” Loop said. “I saw the area code and was like, ‘Let’s go.’” You want pressure? Try replacing the most accurate kicker in NFL history, who also holds the record for the longest make. But Loop didn’t blink: “It’s more exciting than pressure.”

He should hope it’s not the latter because Tucker’s availability is in the air. Now, whether by suspension, release, or performance drop, Loop must be ready to ride the bench when called upon because that’s the situation he has landed himself into in Baltimore.

John Harbaugh warns about the football decision for Justin Tucker

When the Ravens’ head coach stepped up to the mic, there was a purpose behind every word, and behind every non-answer, too. “Every decision we make has to be made on football,” Harbaugh said. And that line? It wasn’t just coach-speak. It was a pointed reminder that Baltimore’s next move with Justin Tucker won’t be driven by headlines, hashtags, or speculation. It’ll be football. Strictly football.

Now, Tucker is still in the building. Still kicking. Still acting like the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Harbaugh confirmed that: “As you know, Justin’s been in the building the last couple of weeks kicking and everything. Got a chance to talk a little bit.” But then came the real meat of it. Harbaugh admitted the team has no new information on the NFL’s ongoing investigation into misconduct allegations made against Tucker. “We don’t know anything… so we can’t make any decision based on that.”

But here’s what they did do: they drafted a kicker. Harbaugh was careful, though. He didn’t say Tucker’s time was up. He didn’t even hint at it. However, the ‘next man up’ layers are there. Salary cap, age, decline in performance—all part of the conversation. “You’ve got a rookie kicker in here… everything we decide to do over the next few weeks will be based on football.”

So while the NFL figures out its side, the Ravens are setting up theirs. No verdict yet. But there’s a new kicker in the locker room. And when the clock hits zero on this decision, it won’t be PR or public pressure making the call. It’ll be football.