Ravens agree to four-year deal with Justin Tucker

After proving his value is the league’s most accurate kicker over the past four seasons, former Longhorn and current Baltimore Raven Justin Tucker has signed a four-year deal to become the highest paid kicker in the NFL. Although it is not yet clear just how much Tucker is asking for, it could be something close to the four-year contract worth $17.2 million that was offered by the New England Patriots to Stephen Gostkowski last summer, according to NFL.com. However, that hope dissipated Thursday, when the Ravens provided Tucker with an offer that actually paid him less than their prior offers and less than Mason Crosby of the Packers.

Tucker is one of the best kickers in the National Football League, having converted 87.8 percent of his kicks in four seasons. The Ravens could keep Tucker in 2017 if they sign him again. 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.

Tucker says if he doesn’t get signed long term, he won’t return for negotiations next season and will look to play for another team.

But in the end, Tucker – who would have been an unrestricted free agent after the coming season – became the fifth straight Ravens franchise free agent to sign a long-term deal before the deadline. After franchising Tucker, the team wanted to make sure that the kicker didn’t hit the unrestricted free agent market after the 2016 season. His 87.8% field-goal percentage ranks second-best all-time behind the Dallas Cowboys’ Dan Bailey. But the Ravens love Tucker and know his importance to the organization.

He made 33 of 40 field-goal attempts last season, and was ideal on 29 extra point attempts. That has never been the case with Tucker, a charismatic Texas native who sings opera, impersonates athletes and celebrities and maintains a social media presence. Tucker is a perfectionist and doesn’t really need any extra motivation. Enter Billy Cundiff. After having a Pro Bowl 2010 season, Ozzie rewarded him with a five-year, $15 million contract. Tucker has been a key force for the team making clutch kicks help them win games.