Once one of the NFL's elite kickers, Younghoe Koo took a massive step back last season, contributing to the Falcons' underperformance.
During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Koo was arguably the best kicker in the league, missing a total of four field goals in 32 games in that two-year stretch. As a result, he earned himself a five-year, $24.25 million contract extension. Things haven't been going according to the plan ever since.
The South Korean specialist has seen his field goal accuracy go down each year. In 2024, he went a disastrous 25/34 on FG attempts. His nine misses were tied for the most in the NFL.
While the Falcons seemingly still have faith in Koo, they have already begun thinking about potential upgrades. Earlier in the offseason, they signed German kicker Lenny Krieg after he impressed during the NFL Combine as an International Player Pathway program participant.
However, to create even more competition for the starting job, the Falcons should consider bringing in a recently released veteran.
We have released K Matt Gay.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 10, 2025
Falcons Should Sign Another Veteran Kicker for Training Camp Competition
The Indianapolis Colts announced that they are releasing former Pro Bowler Matt Gay on Thursday. The 31-year-old former Super Bowl champ has taken a similar step back to Koo over the last two seasons. After converting 92.5% of his field goals during his time with the Rams, Gay went down to 82.1% accuracy since joining the Colts in the 2023 offseason.
Considering the mammoth extension he signed with Indianapolis two seasons ago, the team decided to move on from the veteran for financial reasons.
The Falcons should be a potential landing spot after going through serious kicking struggles last season. Having another veteran to compete for the starting role with Koo and Krieg should benefit the Falcons. As the team desperately hopes to take a step forward with Michael Penix Jr. under center in his second year, having a reliable option at kicker will go a long way.