Baltimore’s Tyler Loop leans on Christian faith after missed playoff-clinching kick: ‘It hurts’ 

The Baltimore placekicker who missed a last-second field goal Sunday night that would have sent his team to the NFL playoffs said in a subdued postgame press conference that he will lean on his faith to move forward, citing a Bible verse that speaks to perseverance. 

Tyler Loop’s 44-yard field goal sailed right as time expired, allowing Pittsburgh to escape for a 26-24 victory and sending the Steelers – and not the Ravens – into the postseason.  

The rookie placekicker had earlier connected on a 40-yard field goal and was a perfect three of three on extra points, but missed the kick that would have sealed a playoff berth. 

Loop spent more than seven minutes talking to reporters afterward, fielding every question and expressing confidence that the disappointment will strengthen him. 

“Faith is a big part of my life,” Loop said. “Right now I’m reading the book of Romans, and in Romans 8 it says, ‘And God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.’ It’s a verse – it just reminds me [that] ultimately, I’m here to love on the guys around me, and I’m here to try and have their back and be a good teammate and be a good representative of the organization and steward the gifts I’ve been given.”

Loop knew as soon as his foot hit the ball that it was likely no good, he said. 

“It stinks,” he said of the loss. “It hurts.” 

Loop was picked out of Arizona in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft and enjoyed a solid season, tying for eighth in kicks made and among the league leaders in field goal percentage (88.2%). Heading into Sunday’s game, he was a flawless seven of seven on field goals between 40 and 49 yards – and 21 of 21 on kicks under 40 yards. Sunday’s 44-yard miss was his first blemish among kicks less than 50 yards. 

Baltimore coach John Harbaugh walked off the field alongside Loop, hand on his back, in a show of support. 

“Unfortunately, the nature of the job is you have makes and those are awesome, and unfortunately, you have misses,” Loop said. “… I gotta move on, and I gotta get ready for the next kick. And that’s next year. And tomorrow starts training for that.” 

Running back Derrick Henry – a core part of the team’s offense – said he spoke to Loop and urged him to trust God. 

“I feel for Tyler. I just told him to keep his spirits up, deal with it tonight and then tomorrow the sun rises again,” Henry told reporters. “… God put him in this position to use him as an example. … I can’t wait to see him overcome it on the other side. I just told him to trust God’s plan. He wouldn’t have him put in this position if he wasn’t strong enough to handle it.”

Loop’s Instagram bio reads, “Follower of Christ.” 

His offseason will include a wedding to his fiancée, Julia, followed by a honeymoon, offseason training and preparation for the 2026 season. 

“I love this team, and I love these guys, and I wish it ended different,” he told reporters. “I’m just super blessed to be here.”