Baltimore Ravens star kicker Justin Tucker is currently staring down at least 10 accusations of sexual misconduct, and the team could view Eddy Pineiro as a potential replacement. A former undrafted free agent, Justin Tucker is likely the greatest kicker in NFL history, off-field issues notwithstanding. A five-time First-Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, the Texas product was easily the best kicker in football throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. However, these accusations could lead to a release, which means Baltimore could be looking for another kicker.
Ravens Could Replace Justin Tucker With Eddy Pineiro
Will Baltimore Cut Justin Tucker?
Before looking for a replacement, we must first decide if the Ravens will release Tucker. While his alleged actions are deplorable, we all know that teams will put up with just about anything if players help the on-field product. While this is the first time the accusations have publicly come to light, it’s worth noting that old tweets, Facebook posts, and Reddit comments alluded to these charges. If random people on the Internet knew about this, it’s safe to assume the Ravens were at least generally aware of why Tucker was banned from multiple massage parlors.
If Tucker were still the all-time great he was at his peak, Baltimore might try and stick with him. However, the troubled kicker is coming off a rough season, connecting on a career-low 73.3% of his attempts while locking the leg strength to consistently make 50-yard attempts. Being a horrible person is one thing, but Baltimore probably won’t tolerate the PR nightmare that comes with keeping Tucker AND below-average play.
Eddy Pineiro could replace Justin Tucker, but the Ravens probably won’t officially move on until the start of the league year. If the Ravens cut Tucker before March, they’ll be on the hook for a $7.4 million cap hit. However, by waiting until the new league year, Baltimore can designate him a post-June 1st transaction and spread his dead money over two years. This will lead to an extra $4.6 million in cap space throughout the 2025 season, which is a big deal for a Ravens team set to have multiple high-level starters reach free agency.
Who Will Sign Eddy Pineiro?
The Ravens will likely be in the market for a kicker, but they won’t be the only ones trying to sign Eddy Pineiro. While he isn’t a generational talent by any stretch of the imagination, he’s easily one of the best 32 kickers in the league. After bouncing around early in his career, the Florida product found a home with the Carolina Panthers. Serving as the team’s primary kicker over the past three seasons, Pienero has hit on 80 of his 90 attempts since joining the Panthers.
Nobody will break the bank for Eddy Pineiro, but the Ravens are probably willing to pay more than the Panthers. Baltimore is in the midst of their Super Bowl window and a reliable kicker could be the difference between a deep playoff run and a quick January exit. While the Panthers have hope for the future with the much-improved Bryce Young, they still need a lot of help before they’re ready to compete. If the Ravens want Pineiro, they’ll probably get him and the Panthers will pivot to a cheaper option while using most of their money on the defense.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – Imagn Images
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