Cade York
Getty
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Cade York #3 of the Cincinnati Bengals kicks a field goal during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Saints needed a new kicker and have signed one, opting for a young unproven talent over the established leg of Super Bowl winner who has some controversy.
According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints have added kicker Cade York to their practice squad. Meanwhile, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports that the team will be releasing current kicker Blake Grupe, who was 18 for 26 on kicks this year.
York had a strong tryout for the Saints on Tuesday. The team also tried out former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who has been out of the league after allegations of sexual misconduct emerged.
Since 2022, York has had stints with the Browns, Titans, Giants, Commanders, and Bengals, but he had not been on a roster in 2025.
Over his career, he has made 45 of 33 field goals, giving him a 73.3% success rate — the same rate Tucker posted in 2024, which was the lowest of Tucker’s career. York has also converted 51 of 54 extra-point attempts.
Justin Tucker Left the NFL as the Best Kicker of All-Time
Tuesday was the first workout for Tucker since he was suspended in June for 10 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Tucker was eligible to come back from suspension on Nov. 11 after being released by the Ravens in May.
Last month, the seven-time Pro Bowler held a workout at his alma mater, the University of Texas, where he created a video of his 18 career game-winning field goals.
When Tucker was released, he left the NFL leading the league in career field goal percentage at 89.1%, but has since been surpassed by Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker (93.5%), San Francisco 49ers‘ Eddy Peneiro (89.9%), and Dallas Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey (89.6%).
Justin Tucker
GEttyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 19: Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens kicks a field goal against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NFL Hall of Famer Gil Brandt considered Tucker to be the greatest kicker in NFL history, ahead of Adam Vinatieri. Tucker was in sole possession of the longest field goal in NFL history at 66 yards at Ford Field in Detroit in 2021, until Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Cam Little made a 68-yard field goal earlier this season in Las Vegas against Raiders.
Tucker is a Super Bowl XLVII champion, a five-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time second-team All-Pro, and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
But Tucker’s last season with Baltimore was his career worst. He went 22-for-30 in field goals for a percentage of 73.3%.
What Are the Allegations Against Justin Tucker?
In January 2025, The Baltimore Banner released first-hand accounts from six massage therapists who accused Tucker of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior between 2012 and 2016. The therapists alleged that he deliberately exposed his genitals, made unwanted physical contact with some of them, and left semen on the massage table following three of their sessions. In interviews, several therapists stated that Tucker’s behavior caused them to end his sessions early or refuse to treat him again, and two spas subsequently barred him from returning.
But Tucker, through his attorneys, denied the allegations, calling them speculative and “impossible to prove. They also denied that Tucker was banned from spas or ejaculated at a spa. Tucker’s attorneys also referred the Banner to more than a dozen massage therapists Tucker had worked with. The outlet contacted eleven of them and received responses from four, all of whom described positive experiences with Tucker. The attorneys also provided emails indicating that one of the spas he was allegedly banned from had, in fact, been “actively inviting him back for additional appointments.”
But another ten massage therapists came forward with accusations against Tucker after the Banner published their first story.
At first, Tucker released a statement denying the allegations and accused the Banner of not being transparent with him until he hired a defamation attorney. About a month later, Tucker released another statement again denying the allegations, but apologizing to “anyone I have worked with” that felt he didn’t treat them professionally or as a person.