One of the consistent critiques of Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is an unwavering loyalty to his players, which at times prevents obvious decisions. It is easy to argue that it cost the Falcons a playoff spot a season ago with Morris sticking with Kirk Cousins far past when it was time to make a change. This story wasn't going to repeat itself with struggling veteran kicker Younghoe Koo. Morris made the tough decision to push Koo off the active roster and bring John Parker Romo to Minnesota.
With the team less than a week, the former Viking was suddenly center stage for an incredibly important game for the Falcons. Atlanta would beat the Vikings 22-6 behind a dominating defensive performance and an incredible night from Parker Romo. The kicker went 5/5, hitting from long distance and nailing his only extra point attempt. This was as dominating an effort as we've seen from an Atlanta kicker in quite some time. Making sure that this spells the end of Koo, despite the past accomplishments from the once reliable kicker.
Falcons Have an Easy Decision to Make After John Parker Romo's Incredible Atlanta Debut
Atlanta was viewing this as an ongoing competition that they would take into the game, giving Romo a chance to make a case that he would be more reliable than Koo. It is hard to imagine a more compelling case from a kicker who simply needed an opportunity. Last year, when injuries were dealt to Minnesota, the franchise turned to the current Falcon and was given a perfect performance. One that gave the kicker the confidence to come in and be one of the driving forces in Minnesota's demise.
For Koo, this spells the end, with the Falcons appearing to have no choice but to cut the veteran kicker. You've already lost confidence to the point you've given another kicker a chance in a pivotal game. An opportunity that Parker Romo took full advantage of, leaving no question who the better option appeared to be.
It is sad to see Koo go out in this manner after kicking at a historic clip his first seasons with the Falcons. As is often the case, things turned sideways without warning, with the veteran missing a game-tying kick in Week 1 after a long history of struggling throughout the 2024 season. There simply aren't any excuses left for a player whose confidence was already gone.
Seeing another player come in and do his job at a high enough level to be highlighted by the Sunday Night Football crew only continues to push this confidence in the wrong direction. You simply cannot consider going back to the kicker now that Parker Romo has put together such an incredible performance.
Even if one game wasn't enough to convince Morris, you hold the kicker on the active roster for one more week and allow Parker Romo to again prove himself against Carolina. If the game goes as planned, the Falcons officially have a new kicker, and it appears Koo's time in Atlanta has come to an end.