Falcons Release Kicker Younghoe Koo After Uneven Performance
In a surprising move, the Atlanta Falcons have released veteran kicker Younghoe Koo. This decision comes shortly after Parker Romo, his replacement, showcased a strong performance in a recent game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Koo, who had been with the Falcons since 2019, expressed his gratitude to the team and its fans. He acknowledged the organization for giving him an opportunity and helping him grow both as a kicker and as an individual. He also wished the team well as he continues his career in the league.
During his time with the Falcons, Koo established himself as a reliable kicker. From 2019 to 2023, he successfully made nearly 90% of his field-goal attempts. His performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2020. However, his performance has declined since the start of the 2024 season.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Koo’s performance dipped below his usual standards. While he made a crucial 52-yard field goal that forced overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he also missed a kick and had another blocked in the same game. In another game against the New Orleans Saints, he missed three attempts. Further misses occurred in games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders. His season was further complicated when he was placed on injured reserve due to a hip issue.
Overall, Koo made 25 out of 34 field-goal attempts that season, resulting in a 73.5% success rate. This was his lowest single-season success rate since joining the Falcons. In contrast, during his first five seasons with the team, he consistently made at least 86.5% of his field goals, reaching a peak of 94.9% in 2020.
Prior to the Falcons’ decision to release Koo, the team had signed Lenny Krieg as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Krieg competed with Koo during training camp, but Koo ultimately retained his position.
In the opening game of the current season against the Buccaneers, Koo missed a potential game-tying 44-yard field goal in the final seconds. He also had an extra point attempt that barely went in and failed to reach the landing zone on one of his kickoff attempts.
Subsequently, Koo was benched for the Falcons’ Week 2 game against the Vikings. Parker Romo, who had been signed by the Falcons just days before, was quickly promoted from the practice squad. Romo delivered a strong performance, successfully making field goals of 38, 29, 33, 33, and 54 yards.
Following his successful debut, the Falcons have named Romo as their starting kicker for their upcoming Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers.
For Koo, this release marks another turning point in his career. After a difficult start in the league with the Chargers in 2017, he managed to revive his career with the Falcons. Now, as an experienced veteran, he will look to bounce back once again and find a new opportunity in the league.
