Amid the usual drama and triumphs of an NFL season, Justin Tucker’s performance has been a focal point of concern and analysis. Once heralded as the most accurate kicker in the history of professional football, Tucker’s recent struggles have invited both scrutiny and support from notable figures in the sport. Before 2023, Tucker boasted an enviable 90.5% career average conversion rate, a statistic that spoke volumes about his consistency and talent. Yet, this season has presented challenges that even legends must face.
Indeed, the 2023 season started with promising numbers for Tucker; he successfully converted 51 of 52 extra point attempts and was perfect on all 20 field goals within 40 yards. His performance on field goals between 40 to 49 yards also remained strong, with 11 out of 12 attempts making it between the uprights. However, the cracks in his form appeared from longer distances, where he achieved just 1 of 5 success rates on kicks from 50 yards or more.
This difficulty extended into the current season. In the first seven weeks, Tucker maintained a flawless record on extra points, converting all 26 attempts and achieving 12 of 15 field goals. But since the oscillation of fortunes in Week 8, his precision waned; he has successfully made only 7 of 12 field goals. His struggles particularly manifested in missed attempts from 50, 47, 50, 47, and 53 yards.
The Consistent Kicker Experiencing a Dip
The sudden decline in accuracy hasn’t gone unnoticed. Bill Belichick offered a perspective on Tucker’s situation, suggesting that the kicker’s issues may stem from technique rather than talent. “Obviously there's something that's a little bit off from a technique standpoint. But I don't see that there's like a lack of talent,” Belichick stated. It’s a sentiment that underscores the idea that, even amidst downturns, Tucker’s underlying skill remains intact.
Belichick’s assessment didn’t stop at just technique. He continued to discuss the broader picture of Tucker’s recent struggles, touching on the fact that it wasn’t a brand-new development. "Clearly this extends back even to last year a little bit, too, because there were some accuracy issues last year in the '23 season as well as the current season," Belichick observed. Despite these challenges, Belichick expressed confidence in Tucker’s resilience and talent. “I would stick with Justin Tucker. This guy was the most accurate kicker in the history of football… He's obviously having a little bit of a rough patch right here, but it doesn't look to me like his talent level has declined.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Tucker’s recent hiccups come in stark contrast to his near-flawless performance following last season's Week 13 bye, when he converted all 21 extra points and 15 field goals. This rebound, however brief, demonstrated the kicker's potential when errors are corrected and technique is refined. It’s a reminder that in professional sports, form is temporary, but class remains permanent.
For Tucker and his team, this phase is undoubtedly challenging. Still, the advice from figures like Belichick offers a pathway forward, emphasizing mechanics and consistency as areas for scrutiny. If Tucker and his coaches can diagnose and treat the mechanical inconsistencies that Belichick mentioned, a return to prime form could be in the cards. While the trials of the current and previous seasons have cast a shadow over his once spotless reputation, Tucker’s history of excellence certainly provides hope for a swift return to top form.
In the world of professional sports, narratives are constantly rewritten, and legacies are both challenged and reinforced. For Justin Tucker, this season represents another chapter in a storied career, one that tests his resilience and dedication to reclaiming the title of the most reliable leg in the NFL. As teams brace for the final stretch of the season, all eyes will be on Tucker to see how this story unfolds.