There might not be a player fans want to see gone more than kicker Blake Grupe. Leave it to the New Orleans Saints to entertain one player who may actually make Saints fans say stick with Grupe. The good news? The Saints are trying out kickers. The bad news? Justin Tucker is one of them.
Tucker has spent most of this season suspended because of sexual misconduct allegations. It's the same reason he was let go by the Baltimore Ravens. His field goal percentage and placement in NFL history mean nothing. Most of the NFL has understood that. The Saints are the first team to even show interest in Tucker.
Grupe probably doesn't need to kick another field goal for the Saints. Tucker definitely doesn't need to ever kick a field goal for the Saints. Someone tell the Saints it's okay to put morals and integrity first when constructing a roster.
Deshaun Watson, Jon Gruden and now Justin Tucker. The Saints have shown a lack of care for scandal too often
Olivia Pope would be proud of all the scandal the Saints are weaving themselves into. Fans honestly shouldn't even be surprised at their interest in Tucker. This fits right in with who the Saints have been recently.
Putting aside the scandal with the Catholic church, the Saints have shown they will overlook controversy in the name of talent. That's most professional teams, but the Saints have specifically overlooked allegations of sexual assault twice now.
When Deshaun Watson was on the market, the Saints were reportedly in the final three pushing for his services. It didn't matter that Watson two dozen allegations of sexual assault and misconduct to his name. The Saints wanted him as the quarterback and went after him.
This is exactly what the Saints are doing with Tucker. Watson threw the ball well enough. Tucker makes enough kicks. These are the things Mickey Loomis and the Saints brass are likely telling themselves to overlook the multitude of allegations for both players.
Some will say allegations aren't proof. What about Jon Gruden? Gruden joined the Saints temporarily during the 2023 training camp and was considered for the offensive coordinator position in 2024. We all saw the racist language in Gruden's emails. That's not alleged, and like with Tucker, the Saints were the first to begin welcoming Gruden back to the league.
The Saints don't care, and they don't care about potentially alienating fans either. It's not about securing the players or coaches. The pursuit alone speaks volumes.