With Kirk Cousins safely on the bench, it seemed that when the Atlanta Falcons needed a play in the clutch, they had the perfect lineup. Michael Penix put together two incredible late drives, one for the go-ahead score and a second for what should've been the game-tying field goal. Instead, Younghoe Koo pushed the kick right and lost the game for the Falcons. It was a throwback to last season when Koo was unable to do anything with a level of consistency.
Injuries were blamed, and in his first chance at redemption, the kicker has shown it is time to turn the page. It would be surprising not to see the Falcons release Koo in the next days, opening up a roster spot. One that could be taken by Lenny Krieg, who was a standout in camp and the preseason. It seems now is the time to call on the kicker while also looking at upgrading another notable position.
Falcons Week 1 Fallout Must Include Cutting Younghoe Koo and Adding Depth at Receiver
After cutting Koo, the Falcons need to look at adding to the receiver position with both Drake London and Darnell Mooney dealing with injuries. The veteran receivers are both now in question, with Mooney missing Week 1 and London missing the final moments of the game. Looking at free agency, the one option that stands out is experienced veteran Odell Beckham Jr.
So much of the Falcons' issues in the game Sunday were based on Tampa playing man and not having receivers who could make the team pay. London was the only reliable option still healthy in the lineup. Bringing in current free agent Beckham offers you an experienced veteran with high upside. It was just the 2023 season that Odell was an important contributor in Baltimore's offense.
Spending a failed year in Miami isn't enough to give up on the potential of the receiver. No question, the Falcons badly need to find receiver depth and a change of kicker after Week 1. For Koo, this should be the end, with it already being in question if the Falcons made a mistake allowing him to return for the 2025 season.
Krieg is still a part of the Atlanta roster through the International Pathways Program and would be an easy enough roster addition. Now, Atlanta fans will focus on how soon the move is made and the status of Drake London. Losing London ahead of traveling to Minnesota next week would create an impossibly frustrating uphill battle for Michael Penix to move the ball consistently.
You're looking at an unknown kicking game while dealing with Casey Washington or Ray-Ray McCloud as your primary passing option. Add in the unknown of Kyle Pitts, and your passing attack is going to be anyone's guess.
For the Falcons, this game went as poorly as possible, with the one notable exception being the great performance of the quarterback. Still, the Falcons obviously have much to figure out in the next weeks of the season.