The Ravens have been paying close attention to Justin Tucker for quite some time. Unfortunately, it is not for a good reason, as Tucker has serious claims against him. This matter is pretty serious as they are for significant misconduct allegations. The issue has grown so big that the NFL itself is looking into it. While the team has yet to reply to these charges, it appears that the GM has finally spoken up.

Eric DeCosta was recently present at an NFL media appearance, where he answered multiple questions. One of these was what was going on with Justin Tucker and whether or not the team would look into this matter. DeCosta, too, was unsure and first confirmed that the allegations were huge for Justin Tucker. He thinks that, thankfully, the league is looking into the matter, which means that there will be a fair judgment, and once things get more clear, Baltimore can make a decision.

The report of Eric DeCosta’s statement, in short, is: “INDIANAPOLIS — #Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta called allegations of se–al misconduct from kicker Justin Tucker ‘serious and concerning’ and the amount of the allegations as #NFL investigation is ongoing @KPRC2″ All of this obviously indicates that the team is unsure about the scenario at hand. But is it possible that they can still release Justin Tucker, even if he is innocent?

Well, that could be the case, given all of the current speculations regarding the kicker. Several sources have stated that the Ravens plan to part ways with Justin Tucker in March. There could be several reasons for this, but it is widely assumed that this case filed against him is the most serious one. If the league finds substantial evidence, Baltimore won’t have the luxury of waiting anymore. And if history tells us anything, the Ravens aren’t afraid to make tough calls. Look at how quickly they distanced themselves from Ray Rice in 2014 when the infamous elevator video surfaced. Public relations matter in this league, and right now, the Ravens are walking a tightrope.

It started earlier this year when six massage therapists came forward, accusing Tucker of inappropriate behavior during massage sessions between 2012 and 2016. At first, it seemed like an isolated incident, but as time went on, more women spoke up, bringing the total number of accusers to 16. Some massage clinics reportedly banned Tucker from their establishments during that period.

If this sounds eerily familiar, it’s because we’ve seen a similar situation before—most notably with former Texans and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. His case involved more than 20 women and ultimately led to an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine. Given how the NFL handled Watson’s case, it’s no surprise that they’re taking the Tucker situation seriously.

NFL legend Antonio Brown has also reacted to the allegations, joking that Tucker will be going to the Browns in the future. Although no insider has revealed anything like this, Antonio Brown’s contacts in the industry make this joke a significant tease, too. But, before that, the Ravens would need to release him, and it appears that many people will be engaged in that decision. Even one player can share their opinions. 

Lamar Jackson could potentially stop Justin Tucker’s release

Eric DeCosta startled the entire conference by revealing Lamar Jackson‘s status on the team. The quarterback is no longer merely a player but rather a member of the team’s staff. DeCosta believes Jackson has earned this, and as a result, the quarterback’s viewpoint is important in all decisions. Hiring and firing are important decisions for the team, and Jackson is set to be included in those decisions. The QB will also be going on a talent search for the team’s next season. This could also mean that Jackson could be involved with Justin Tucker.

DeCosta stated, “Lamar is a stakeholder. He’s a partner. He’s earned that right.” This indicates that Justin Tucker may still not be released. But how, exactly? Consider this: Ravens management would have decided to release Tucker solely on the basis of his image. They would not have wanted to tarnish their organization’s reputation and would have preferred it over the game. But Lamar Jackson would think about everything.

The quarterback will also think about the team’s image and how Tucker’s success in NFL history. The 35-year-old is critical to the entire team, but nothing is guaranteed about his future.