Sep 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo (6) watches his kick against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Falcons made a difficult and emotional decision on Friday, September 19, 2025, releasing longtime kicker Younghoe Koo and naming Parker Romo as his replacement.

The move came just days after Koo missed a potential game-tying field goal in the season opener, a kick that would have forced overtime and possibly changed the outcome. Combined with a steady decline in accuracy over the past season, the miss proved to be the final straw for Atlanta’s coaching staff and front office.

Koo joined the Falcons in 2019, quickly winning over both teammates and fans with his calm demeanor under pressure. His reliability became a cornerstone of the Falcons’ special teams, and in 2020, he earned a Pro Bowl selection. Over his six full seasons in Atlanta, he compiled an impressive career field goal percentage of 86.8 percent, a mark that placed him among the league’s most accurate kickers during his prime.

He also climbed to third on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, trailing only two other legendary names in team history.

Still, the NFL is a results-driven league, and the past year brought warning signs that the Falcons could no longer ignore. Koo’s accuracy slipped notably in 2024, and misses in clutch situations that once seemed automatic began to mount.

The front office and coaching staff brought in competition this summer during training camp, signing German prospect Lenny Krieg, in hopes of sparking a bounce back. Instead, the added pressure seemed to highlight just how much Koo’s consistency had wavered.

Parker Romo now steps into a more prominent role. Romo was worked out by the Falcons a few days after the team lost its opener to the Buccaneers. Initially, they would sign him to the practice squad. Known for his leg strength and steady progression through the preseason, Romo convinced the team that he was prepared to handle the demands of kicking at the highest level.

Coaches cited his poise in practice and his ability to deliver under pressure as key reasons for the transition. In Romo's first start, he went 5-5 in Atlanta's Sunday night win over the Minnesota Vikings.

For Atlanta fans, the move signals both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. Koo’s clutch kicks and his rise from an undrafted journeyman to a Pro Bowler made him one of the most respected and beloved players in the locker room. However, the Falcons believe Romo provides the consistency needed to maximize close game opportunities this season.

Koo leaves behind a lasting legacy with the franchise, but as of September 19, the Falcons are turning to Parker Romo as their kicker of the present and the future.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Falcons Part Ways with Beloved Kicker Younghoe Koo

Reporting by Tyler Whitcomb, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect