Younghoe Koo
Getty
The Falcons are benching Younghoe Koo in favor of John Parker Romo for their Week 2 matchup
The Atlanta Falcons suffered a tough luck loss in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the final score settling in at 23-20. In Michael Penix Jr.’s first start under center in the 2025 campaign, he proved that he can help keep the Falcons competitive against the Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South as they attempt to find their way back to the postseason.
Penix is going to need some help, though, and in Week 1, he didn’t get much help from kicker Younghoe Koo, who missed a game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for Tampa Bay. With that missed kick in mind, Atlanta made a surprising move involving Koo for their upcoming Week 2 action.
Falcons Bench Younghoe Koo in Favor of John Parker Romo
Falcons ruled out kicker Younghoe Koo for Sunday night's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings and listed his reason for downgraded as not injury related.
Falcons also promoted kicker Parker Romo to kick Sunday night vs. the Vikings. pic.twitter.com/ZIt4Rbr068
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2025
After not getting selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Koo latched on with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent and ended up earning the starting kicker job over Josh Lambo. He only lasted four games with the team, though, as he got released and replaced by Nick Novak. That led Koo to the American Alliance of Football, where he kicked for the Atlanta Legends. Koo briefly spent time on the New England Patriots practice squad in 2019 before signing with the Falcons.
Koo replaced Matt Bryant as Atlanta’s kicker midway through the season, and once he did, he never looked back. Koo managed to nail down the job for himself, and he ended up earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 when he made 37 of his 39 field goal attempts, while also converting 33 of his 36 extra point attempts.
In 2024, Koo endured the worst year of his career, hitting just 73.5% of his field goal attempts. He still managed to hold onto the starting job heading into the new season, but after missing a crucial field goal in Week 1, Atlanta is sending a strong message to Koo. On Saturday, it was revealed that Koo will be inactive for Atlanta’s Week 2 action, despite not carrying an injury designation, with John Parker Romo being elevated from the practice squad to take his spot.
“Falcons ruled out kicker Younghoe Koo for Sunday night’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings and listed his reason for downgraded as not injury related. Falcons also promoted kicker Parker Romo to kick Sunday night vs. the Vikings,” Adam Schefter of ESPN reported.
Younghoe Koo’s Future with Falcons Murky After Week 2 Benching
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed game-tying kick against Bucs.
Getty Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed game-tying kick against Bucs.
Koo was clearly on a short leash entering the season, and one crucial missed kick may have cost him his job. After enjoying a strong summer with the Patriots, Romo will be given an opportunity to make the starting kicker job with the Falcons his own, as the team could fully move on from Koo if he can convert his kicks in Week 2.
With an excruciating loss in Week 1 in the books, Atlanta is going to be motivated to earn its first victory of the season in Week 2. That will be easier said than done, though, as the Falcons will bump into the Minnesota Vikings, who are fresh off an incredible comeback victory in Week 1. With this match taking place on Sunday Night Football, all eyes are going to be on Romo to see if he can fully steal Koo’s job from him with a strong kicking performance.