The Atlanta Falcons are keeping meticulous watch over their kicking competition. That’s just days after Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard game-winning field goal in the dying moments of their 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. This wide kick was a would-be much-more-there game-tying FG. Koo’s emotion on the field really highlighted the weight of the moment.
Though Koo had made two field goals on the game already, this wouldn’t be the first time he’d struggled with consistency. He almost botched a 36-yarder earlier in the third quarter, first clanging off the right upright before the kick angled through the uprights. His performance represented another blow in what has been an up-and-down season. Last year, Koo shanked nine field goals. This led to a sad 73.5% conversion rate, his worst since taking over as the Falcons’ full-time kicker in 2019.
Koo is 29th of 31 qualified kickers with 20 or more tries this year. This tremulous performance does not augur well for his dependability. Coach Raheem Morris announced that the team will begin workouts with both veteran and young kickers, indicating that a change may be on the horizon. Morris added that such tryouts might begin as soon as this Tuesday.
“We always create those competitive moments and find people whether it be workouts or whatever the case may be,” – Raheem Morris
Despite Koo’s struggles, Morris emphasized that bringing in new talent does not necessarily mean Koo will lose his spot on the roster. He acknowledged that fostering a competitive environment on the team was paramount.
While Koo was skeptical, he would later express his own frustration after the game, understanding just how much his missed chances influenced the outcome.
“I mean, every point really matters in this league, and we’ve been in this situation so many times and the frustration just came out of just disappointment in myself with knowing that I know I’m better than that,” – Younghoe Koo
The Falcons signed German-born kicker Lenny Krieg in the spring. They signed him and invited him to training camp as a challenger to Koo. Today, Krieg finds himself on the practice squad, but he’s considered a developmental player at best. His arrival increases the competition to win the starting kicker job.
Koo is only 31 years old. He’s been pleased with the tangible changes, especially after a hip injury that kept him out all of last year. Production never fit the narrative, and his constant play has only further distressed his current coaching staff and fans since.
“And on top of that, letting the guys down. Unfortunately, we’ve been having this conversation just more than I would like to, but I think it was just those kinds of things just showing up,” – Younghoe Koo
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