The Atlanta Falcons dropped the season opener 23-20 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thanks to a Younghoe Koo kick that was pulled far right.
Michael Penix Jr. led an impressive late drive to put the Falcons in scoring range with a chance to force overtime. The coaching staff felt that if Koo were able to make the kick, the game would become a literal coin flip with the winner taking the ball and winning in overtime. However, fans were robbed of this moment thanks to Koo's miss. That result has left fans ready to move on from what was once one of the league's most reliable options.
Dating back to the middle of the 2024 season, things have gone sideways for the veteran kicker. Even the simplest of kicks is now very much in doubt. Koo had three attempts on Sunday, and only one was a clear hit. The game-losing kick was set up by a previous attempt, which hit the right upright and somehow twirled in for the score. It was an ugly kick that took a lucky bounce and, ultimately, bailed Koo out.
Younghoe Koo's Falcons Career Nearing An End After Sunday's Debacle
This led to the Falcons evaluating the position, with Marc Raimondi reporting that Raheem Morris plans to work out several different options at the position this week. While no names have been shared as of yet, there are always reclamation projects waiting to be signed. Kickers can often catch fire in a new location after imploding at the last. If this is it for Koo, the Falcons hope that this proves to be the case for the respected veteran.
There is a high level of respect for all the game-winning and high-pressure kicks that Koo has made during his time with the Falcons. Already, there is an argument that he is the third-best in franchise history based on his kicking at a historic level during his first three seasons. Those numbers have since imploded, with 2024 bringing a new career low.
There is a reason why Atlanta was forced to go to Riley Patterson a season ago. Koo was unable to get the job done and was a huge question mark coming into the season. Now, Morris appears to be announcing the end of Koo's time in Atlanta. You're not working out kickers unless you plan to add one at the position.
For Atlanta, it shouldn't be difficult to find an upgrade over the current limited production. It has already cost the Falcons one game in the 2025 season and a handful in 2024. While Kirk Cousins earns most of the blame for the team's lack of success last season, the downturn started not only with the implosion of the veteran quarterback but also with Koo.
Turning the page is overdue. If anyone impresses in Tuesday's workouts, the Falcons need to follow through and move on from a player who can clearly no longer be relied on in any high-pressure spots.