New York Giants Pull the Plug On Kicker After Heartbreaking Loss
The New York Giants made a swift decision Tuesday, cutting Kicker Jude McAtamney just two days after one of the most gut-wrenching losses in recent memory. And honestly? You can’t blame them.
McAtamney’s two missed extra points in Sunday’s 33-32 collapse against the Denver Broncos didn’t just sting—they potentially cost the Giants the game. When you’re an NFL kicker and your team loses by a single point after you’ve shanked two PATs, well, the writing’s on the wall in permanent marker.
The Collapse That Changed Everything
Giants released Jude McAtamney, as @rydunleavy reported. McAtamney became the only kicker in the last 40 years to miss two extra points — neither of which were blocked — in a game his team lost by one point. pic.twitter.com/VhRnPjY6vi
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2025
Let’s paint the picture here. The Giants were cruising with a 19-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Nineteen to zero. Against a Broncos team that looked completely outmatched. Then everything went sideways faster than you can say “MetLife Stadium.” Denver exploded for 33 unanswered points in the final frame. Yes, you read that right—33 points in one quarter. It was the kind of meltdown that makes you want to throw your remote through the TV screen.
But here’s where McAtamney’s struggles become impossible to ignore. His first miss came in the second quarter after Cam Skattebo punched it in, keeping the score at 13-0 instead of 14-0. No biggie at the time, right?
The second miss? That’s the one that’ll haunt him. With 37 seconds left, Jaxson Dart scored to put the Giants up 32-30. McAtamney lined up for what should’ve been a routine extra point to make it a three-point game. He missed. The score stayed 32-30, meaning the Broncos only needed a field goal to win instead of needing a touchdown or settling for overtime. Bo Nix marched Denver down the field with the precision of a seasoned veteran, setting up the game-winning field goal. Game over. Season potentially derailed.
The Math Is Brutal
Do the math with me here. If McAtamney converts just those two extra points, the Giants win 34-33. Instead, they’re 2-5 and spiraling. In a league where games are decided by razor-thin margins, you simply can’t leave points on the board. The Giants learned that lesson the hard way.
According to the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy, McAtamney was placed on waivers Tuesday morning. The Irish kicker seemed to know his fate after Sunday’s disaster, telling reporters with admirable honesty: “I’m a professional kicker. I’ve got to be able to make those.” He’s right. Those aren’t 55-yarders into the wind. They’re chip shots. Gimmes. The kind of kicks you’re expected to nail in your sleep.
What’s Next For Big Blue?
The Giants now face a decision between two options: activate veteran Graham Gano from injured reserve or promote Younghoe Koo from the practice squad for Sunday’s road trip to Philadelphia.
Gano was scheduled to kick on Tuesday to determine his readiness after dealing with a groin injury that’s kept him out since Week 4. The former Pro Bowler has been one of the league’s most reliable kickers during his tenure with the Giants, but he’s battled injuries recently, missing 20 of 41 possible games since 2023. Koo, meanwhile, brings his own interesting storyline. The former Falcons kicker was cut by Atlanta earlier this season after his own struggles, but could provide a short-term solution if Gano isn’t ready.
The Bigger Picture
Look, McAtamney’s situation is tough. The guy came over through the NFL’s International Pathway program as an undrafted free agent from Rutgers. He was living the dream, getting his shot in the world’s best football league. He’d made two field goals against the Chargers in his debut and handled extra points just fine the following week.
But the NFL is merciless. Three missed extra points in two weeks, including that crucial one in the final minute, sealed his fate. In a results-driven business where your margin for error is microscopic, McAtamney learned the harsh reality: you’re only as good as your last kick.
The Giants, now 2-5 and watching their season slip away, couldn’t afford to wait and see if their young kicker would bounce back. Not with a division rival on deck. Not with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread thinner than dental floss.
It is a brutal reminder that in the NFL, some positions offer zero room for mistakes. Kickers might only touch the ball a handful of times per game, but those moments are magnified under the brightest lights. Miss when it matters most, and you’re out. The Giants will try to pick up the pieces this Sunday against the Eagles. With a new kicker. Hopefully, without any more heartbreak that could’ve been avoided by making the kicks that matter.
