Let the Parker Romo era begin in Georgia. The Atlanta Falcons have officially released kicker Younghoe Koo after he was benched for the recently signed Romo.
In a corresponding move, Romo has been promoted to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Romo was five-for-five on field goals last Sunday in the team’s 22-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
I want to thank the Falcons organization for giving me an opportunity when no one else would six years ago,” Koo posted on Instagram. “This place helped me grow as a kicker and as a man. I will forever be grateful for the support from the fans during my time here. I have nothing but love and respect for everyone in the building, I wish yall the best. I’m full of gratitude and excitement as I continue my journey in this league.”
Younghoe Koo was in decline over the last couple of years
Koo has been a great kicker overall for the Falcons since joining the team in 2019. Until last season, Koo was 86.5% or higher annually and even made the Pro Bowl in 2020.
But, last year he converted 25 of his 34 total field goal attempts with a success rate of 73.5%. It was his lowest percentage as a Falcon as he battled a hip injury that eventually landed him a place on injured reserve in Week 16.
Thet’s rough and injuries are a part of football, but NFL teams don’t have much patience when waiting for kickers to get healthy. And, Koo’s missed kick Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the game cost the Falcons a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. That prompted the team to bring in Romo.
“We’ve been in this situation so many times,” Koo said last week. “The frustration just came out of just disappointment in myself and knowing that I know I’m better than that. On top of that, I let the guys down.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been having this conversation more than I would like.”
With Younghoe Koo gone, Romo needs to learn his new teammates’ names
Just to get this out of the way, Romo is no relation to Tony. I know, I was curious too. After Sunday night’s win over the Vikings, Romo was interviewed by NBC’s Melissa Stark while he stood next to Bijan Robinson and Leonard Floyd. She asked if he knew his teammates’ names.
“I know Bijan,” Romo replied.
Stark then said to him, “this is Leonard Floyd over here.” That prompted Romo to shake hands with Floyd.
Romo then went on to say how important it was for him to kick well in the win over the Vikings.
“It’s special,” Romo said. “It’s super special for me to be able to put on for the city of Atlanta because I spent 17 years of my life in Georgia.”
Terrin Waack of AtlantaFalcons.com gives us a little more background on the Falcons‘ new kicker.
“The 28-year-old is from Peachtree City and attended McIntosh High School,” Waack writes. He went out of state for college and ultimately played for three different schools before signing with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He made his NFL debut, though, in 2024 with the Vikings.
Newest Falcons’ Starter Doesn’t Know Teammates’ Names