New Orleans Saints Turn to Justin Tucker in Tone Deaf Move

Free agent kicker Justin Tucker will receive his first tryout after his unceremonious release from the Baltimore Ravens.

Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct in a story from the Baltimore Banner and was immediately released by the Baltimore Ravens. His 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy expired in mid-November. Now, he’ll have an audition to kick for the New Orleans Saints.

Baltimore claimed they released Tucker for “football reasons” in May. Apparently, the allegations from several massage parlor workers around Baltimore did not make Tucker radioactive.

Journeyman kicker Cade York will also attend the tryout, according to reports. Hopefully his attendance is part of a genuine competition and not a half-hearted way to sell their fans on Tucker.

The Saints were one of the four teams that made a formal contract offer to disgraced quarterback Deshaun Watson, who ultimately wound up on the Cleveland Browns on a record-setting $230 million deal. Watson served an 11-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy with allegations almost identical to Tucker’s.

Clearly, the Saints prioritize football results over public relations. Perhaps they’ve done independent research on the allegations surrounding Tucker and Watson. Regardless, it hasn’t helped the team's public image.

The Saints are 2-9. They’re one of the most laughable teams in the league, completely absent of talent. In four starts, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has thrown three touchdown passes and three interceptions – proving that he’s not the long-term solution.

New Orleans has been searching for that long-term answer at quarterback since Drew Brees retired in 2021. When Brees exited, so did the sustained success – or even appearances – in the NFL Playoffs for the Saints.

But is bringing in a kicker with all of these allegations even worth the headache? Sure, when Watson became available from the Houston Texans, he was one of the top quarterbacks in the league. It’s the most important position in professional sports – of course teams would sacrifice their morals for an upgrade at that position.

But what did it get the Browns? The 11-game suspension was more than they had predicted internally. Externally, Watson embarrassed the franchise and the fanbase, only appearing in 19 games before Browns owner Jimmy Haslam publicly called the trade a “swing and a miss.”

Sure, the Saints need help at kicker. But really? This? Right now? Doesn’t that come off as a little bit tone deaf when things aren’t necessarily going well?

Here’s to hoping York or anybody else wins this kicker tryout.