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The Steelers may have one up on the Ravens this season after Tucker's release. Seems like their kicker had a rough preseason outing. Since most regular season wins between the Steelers and Ravens come down to a few points the kicker is a key element:
Baltimore Ravens
Knowing they were likely to release longtime standout Justin Tucker, the Ravens did extensive work on all the available kickers in the draft and decided Arizona’s Tyler Loop was the guy they wanted. They used a sixth-round pick to make sure they got him. Loop is still the favorite to succeed Tucker, but it appears the Ravens are headed for their first training camp kicking competition since Tucker beat out Billy Cundiff before the 2012 season. Loop had a few rocky offseason practices, opening the door for John Hoyland, an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming. Hoyland’s form has been good enough to suggest the Ravens could have a difficult decision to make late in the preseason. — Jeff Zrebiec
Knowing they were likely to release longtime standout Justin Tucker, the Ravens did extensive work on all the available kickers in the draft and decided Arizona’s Tyler Loop was the guy they wanted. They used a sixth-round pick to make sure they got him. Loop is still the favorite to succeed Tucker, but it appears the Ravens are headed for their first training camp kicking competition since Tucker beat out Billy Cundiff before the 2012 season. Loop had a few rocky offseason practices, opening the door for John Hoyland, an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming. Hoyland’s form has been good enough to suggest the Ravens could have a difficult decision to make late in the preseason. — Jeff Zrebiec
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals found exactly what they were looking for in second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. The linebacker was slotted into the starting spot alongside Logan Wilson immediately and brought stability despite this being his first time on an NFL practice field. He’s older (24) with more experience, which made his addition look and feel more like a free-agent signing than draft pick. Players view him as a future leader of the defense already and with all captains gone from last year’s group, defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the hunt for exactly that. — Paul Dehner Jr.
The Bengals found exactly what they were looking for in second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. The linebacker was slotted into the starting spot alongside Logan Wilson immediately and brought stability despite this being his first time on an NFL practice field. He’s older (24) with more experience, which made his addition look and feel more like a free-agent signing than draft pick. Players view him as a future leader of the defense already and with all captains gone from last year’s group, defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the hunt for exactly that. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns
Even if Joe Flacco doesn’t win the starting job, or doesn’t keep it past Halloween, the Browns made a smart move in April when they brought him back on a one-year deal. Flacco is the best pure thrower of the four-man quarterback group, even at 40, but it’s his steadiness and experience that make him such a valuable addition right now. Flacco both mastered the offense quickly and earned the respect of the locker room during his 2023 stint with Cleveland. It was clear this spring that players, young and old, can lean on Flacco as the Browns go about the business of trying to fix their broken offense. — Zac Jackson
Even if Joe Flacco doesn’t win the starting job, or doesn’t keep it past Halloween, the Browns made a smart move in April when they brought him back on a one-year deal. Flacco is the best pure thrower of the four-man quarterback group, even at 40, but it’s his steadiness and experience that make him such a valuable addition right now. Flacco both mastered the offense quickly and earned the respect of the locker room during his 2023 stint with Cleveland. It was clear this spring that players, young and old, can lean on Flacco as the Browns go about the business of trying to fix their broken offense. — Zac Jackson
Pittsburgh Steelers
Anyone who has an opinion on how Aaron Rodgers looked in the Steelers’ offense this offseason (good or bad) either has an agenda or is completely making things up. The four-time NFL MVP missed the first two weeks of OTAs and then signed his one-year contract just ahead of minicamp. During the three practices Rodgers attended, he was a very limited participant. He threw to receivers only during the routes-on-air segments, flashing his trademark quick release. The 41-year-old QB was also relatively mobile during individual drills, at least for an athlete of his age. However, that’s just about all Rodgers did.
Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith plan to spend time this offseason finding middle ground between the pass-happy QB (who attempted the second-most passes in the league last year) and the run-heavy offensive coordinator (who called the fourth-most running plays in 2024). It will be interesting to see how it all comes together in training camp. But until Rodgers throws during seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 segments, everyone is just speculating. – Mike DeFabo
Anyone who has an opinion on how Aaron Rodgers looked in the Steelers’ offense this offseason (good or bad) either has an agenda or is completely making things up. The four-time NFL MVP missed the first two weeks of OTAs and then signed his one-year contract just ahead of minicamp. During the three practices Rodgers attended, he was a very limited participant. He threw to receivers only during the routes-on-air segments, flashing his trademark quick release. The 41-year-old QB was also relatively mobile during individual drills, at least for an athlete of his age. However, that’s just about all Rodgers did.
Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith plan to spend time this offseason finding middle ground between the pass-happy QB (who attempted the second-most passes in the league last year) and the run-heavy offensive coordinator (who called the fourth-most running plays in 2024). It will be interesting to see how it all comes together in training camp. But until Rodgers throws during seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 segments, everyone is just speculating. – Mike DeFabo