Former Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo experienced a notable misstep during a recent Monday Night Football game, which quickly gained traction on social media. His field goal attempt with the New York Giants did not go as planned, adding to the narrative of his troubled tenure with the Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons have struggled significantly with special teams performance over the past few seasons. Koo”s challenges began before he was released and continued after his departure. Last season, he battled injuries and contributed to the Falcons finishing 31st in field goal percentage for the year. After missing a pivotal kick in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which could have forced overtime, Koo did not kick for the Falcons again.
Following his release, Koo was signed by the Giants and was elevated to their 53-man roster for two games leading up to their recent loss against the New England Patriots. In those appearances, he successfully made all four of his field goal attempts. However, during the game against the Patriots, he did not get the chance to kick, as the Giants did not attempt any field goals in their 33-15 defeat. Given his recent performance, it remains uncertain if Koo will keep his spot heading into the upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Koo was a fan favorite during his six-plus years with the Falcons, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 after converting 37 of 39 field goal attempts, including a long of 54 yards. His career-high conversion rate of 94.9% was followed by a decline, which saw his success rate drop to a career-low 73.5% last year before he was placed on injured reserve alongside quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons had attempted to bring in competition for Koo during the offseason, signing Lenny Krieg, a player who had never kicked competitively in the United States. However, he did not make the final roster. The team then turned to Parker Romo, who initially impressed with a perfect performance in Minnesota but struggled in subsequent games before being released after missing an extra point. Recently, the Falcons signed Zane Gonzalez, who was recognized as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Saints.
Overall, the Falcons” special teams unit has faced significant challenges over the past two seasons, with the kicking game being particularly problematic. Koo”s initial struggles in Atlanta seem to have followed him to New York, leaving fans and analysts questioning the future of the Giants” kicking situation.
