The Facts: A little less than a month ago, Tucker said completing a long-term contract extension with the Ravens was a matter of when, not if. Both sides now have less than five days to make it happen. The Ravens and Tucker's agent, Robert Roche, have been having periodic conversations about a new contract for the kicker for months. Both sides have been mum about the talks and there's no indication that a deal is imminent. However, there remains optimism that an agreement can be reached before the deadline.

Diehards Line: The NFL’s seven “franchised” players have until 4 p.m. on Friday to reach agreements on long-term contracts with their respective teams. If no deal is reached, those tagged will play out the 2016 season under the franchise designation. In Tucker’s case, that would mean making $4.572 million in his fifth NFL season, a nice payday for the prolific kicker but not the outcome either side wants. That's primarily because deadlines often spur compromise in these situations. Tucker, who made the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and emerged as a significant weapon during the team’s Super Bowl season, has converted 130-of-148 regular-season field-goal attempts over the past four seasons. His 87.8 conversion rate ranks second all time to the Dallas Cowboys’ Dan Bailey (90.6). Tucker also has kicked 10 career game-winning field goals, made all 162 of his career extra-point tries and been among the league leaders in touchbacks. Even in a down year by his standards, Tucker made 33-of-40 field-goal attempts in 2015 with all but one of his misses coming from 50 yards or longer. Off the field, Tucker has embraced Baltimore, becoming one of the organization’s most popular players and one of the most active in the community.