The Atlanta Falcons have officially parted ways with kicker Younghoe Koo after seven seasons, the team announced Friday.
The South Korea-born Koo initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. After struggling through four games and getting waived, many thought his professional football dreams were over. However, Koo used a solid showing in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football to earn his way back to the NFL.
From Unlikely Hero to Pro Bowl Success
Atlanta took a chance on Koo in 2019 when no other team would. The gamble paid off, especially during his breakout 2020 campaign. That season, Koo led the NFL with 37 made field goals while converting an impressive 94.9% of his attempts, earning him Pro Bowl honors.
“This place helped me grow as a kicker and as a man,” Koo posted on Instagram following his release. “I will forever be grateful for the support from the fans during my time here.”
During his tenure with the Falcons, Koo compiled impressive statistics. According to ESPN, he made 181 of 211 field goal attempts (85.8%) with a career-long of 58 yards. His breakdown by distance shows consistent accuracy:
- 20-29 yards: 52-of-52 (100 %)
- 30-39 yards: 52-of-56 (92.8 %)
- 40-49 yards: 48-of-63 (76.1 %)
- 50-plus yards: 29-of-40 (72.5 %)
Recent Struggles Surface
However, Koo’s consistency declined significantly in recent seasons. Last year proved to be his worst as a Falcon, converting just 25 of 34 field goal attempts for a career-low 73.5% success rate. The struggles continued into 2025, culminating with a missed 44-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of Week 1’s loss to Tampa Bay that would have sent the game to overtime.
That miss dropped Koo to 11-of-16 (68.5%) in his career on field goal attempts that would either tie a game or take the lead in the final minute. Prior to that kick, he had made seven straight field goals in similar clutch situations.
Parker Romo Steps In
Following Koo’s Week 1 miss, Atlanta signed Parker Romo to the practice squad. Romo, who had kicked in four games for Minnesota last season, got his opportunity in Week 2 when the Falcons elevated him and left Koo inactive for their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Vikings.
Romo delivered a perfect performance, going 5-for-5 on field goals including a 54-yarder, plus converting his lone extra point attempt in Atlanta’s 22-6 victory. The Falcons have now signed Romo to a two-year deal and named him their starting kicker moving forward.
Financial Impact and Future
With Koo’s release, the Falcons will absorb $1.25 million in dead money this season while saving $4.25 million against the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com. Koo had two years remaining on his contract with Atlanta.
Despite his recent struggles, the 31-year-old kicker figures to attract interest from other teams. His track record of success and clutch gene make him a candidate for the NFL’s perpetual kicker carousel.
Koo leaves Atlanta having scored exactly 700 points, third-most in franchise history behind Matt Bryant and Morten Andersen. While his Falcons career ended on a down note, his journey from castoff to Pro Bowler remains one of the league’s better redemption stories.
Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker John Parker Romo (96) kicks a field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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