The Atlanta Falcons appeared to be without hope after Baker Mayfield hit a perfect touchdown pass to put Tampa Bay up 23-20. However, the Bucs would miss the extra point, giving Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons a bit of hope that perhaps they could still force overtime. Penix went to work and got Younghoe Koo well within range for a game-tying field goal to force overtime. The kick never had a chance, twirling far right and handing the Bucs a season-opening win.
It was a new low for Koo, who was already coming off the worst season of his career. This should be the final straw when looking at the kicker's recent track record and understanding that the games he has lost far outweigh any success he's had in the past. Predictably, Penix was asked about the situation and handled the questions with incredible class despite the awful luck he has endured in his young career.
Michael Penix Offers Clear Defense of Younghoe Koo
Marc Raimondi reported the comments after a frustratingly familiar Falcons ending. Penix took the high road, saying that the Falcons had all the confidence in the world in Koo that the kicker showed up each day. Raimondi further reported that Penix offered the following sentiment to Koo: "I told him, just keep being you. Don't let this define you." It is the exact approach that a franchise quarterback should take when talking about a struggling teammate.
Does Penix mean it, or was he just being professional in hiding his frustration? At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Part of a quarterback's job is backing up his teammates to the media, and for now Koo is a teammate. With that said, the Falcons must turn the page, understanding that this has been an issue dating back to the 2024 season. You can no longer blame injuries or continue to trot Koo out in huge spots.
The kicker not only missed the potential game-tying kick but had another that should've missed if not for a lucky bounce off the upright. Looking back at the struggles last season, it is easy to make the case that this has gotten into Koo's head. Kicking is so incredibly mental, and when things go sideways, it is typically needed to find a change of scenery to have a chance at turning things around.
Looking at potential options, the Falcons currently have German kicker Lenny Krieg in the International Pathways system, giving a clear option to pivot to after Koo's game losing blunder. Raheem Morris cannot make the same mistake he made a season ago with Kirk Cousins and allow the same player to cost the franchise games.
Part of being a head coach in this league is making the tough calls that no one else wants to. Based on what Koo has meant to the Falcons, it isn't going to be an easy conversation. However, despite Penix's defense of his kicker, it is past time to turn the page.
Bring in someone capable of making longer kicks with some level of consistency. Things have grown so frustrating for Koo, that fans can no longer trust anything being kicked outside of the red zone. It is time for a change in Atlanta.