Falcons Release Younghoe Koo; Parker Romo Takes Over After Perfect Week
The Atlanta Falcons released veteran kicker Younghoe Koo on Friday, ending his seven-season run with the franchise and elevating Parker Romo after his perfect outing in Week 2. The move makes the Korean-born Pro Bowler a free agent.
Koo, 31, did not play in the Falcons' win over the Minnesota Vikings last week after the club elevated Romo from the practice squad. Romo went 5-for-5 on field goals, including a 54-yarder, securing the job heading into this weekend's matchup.
Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed Romo as the starter while the team formalized Koo's release, citing performance trends that dated back to last season. Koo's accuracy slipped to 73.5% (25 of 34) in 2024 after several years among the NFL's most reliable kickers.
After joining Atlanta in 2019, Koo earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020. He ranks among the franchise's top scorers and became a fan favorite for clutch kicks and onside-kick prowess. He posted a farewell message on social media thanking the organization and supporters.
The turning point came in Week 1, when Koo missed a 44-yard attempt that would have forced overtime against Tampa Bay, prompting the club to bring in competition and reconsider the position.
Romo, who impressed in his first start, was signed to the active roster and is expected to handle duties against Carolina as Atlanta seeks consistency on special teams.
For Korean and Korean-American fans, Koo's next destination will be closely watched as several teams continue to cycle kickers early in the season. Multiple outlets reported interest around the league, though no immediate landing spot has been announced.
What's next: Monitor Atlanta's roster moves and any scheduled workouts Koo takes with other clubs in the coming days.
