The Atlanta Falcons are still grappling with their Week 1 heartbreak — and the fallout now centers squarely on kicker Younghoe Koo.
With six seconds left and the Falcons trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. set up Koo with a 44-yard attempt to tie the game. Koo, who had already connected from 41 and 36 yards earlier, sailed the potential game-tying kick wide right, sealing Atlanta’s loss in the season opener.
The miss comes after a shaky 2024 season for Koo, when he converted just 73.5% of his field goals (25-of-38), including only 7-of-11 from the 40-49-yard range. Head coach Raheem Morris didn’t hide his frustration after Sunday’s outcome, making it clear the Falcons will explore competition at the position.
“We’ve got to go out there and look. We’ve got to bring in people to compete,” Morris told reporters Monday, via Will McFadden.
Atlanta already brought in German-born kicker Lenny Kreig during camp to push Koo, but Morris ultimately stuck with the veteran. Koo, who earned the job thanks to what Morris called “emotional bank accounts,” is now facing renewed scrutiny after another costly miss.
This time, Koo, unlike after Sunday's game, didn’t shy away from speaking with the media.
“It’s tough, obviously,” Koo said, per Terrin Waack. “But as always, just got to move forward. Definitely frustrated. Had a great offseason, great camp. Two weeks leading into Week 1, I felt great. I still do.”
Penix, who nearly delivered his first career game-winning drive before the miss, has continued to back his kicker, calling him a trusted veteran despite the struggles.
Still, the pressure is mounting. Koo has been a reliable piece for Atlanta in past seasons, but his recent inconsistency has turned what was once considered a strength into a glaring question mark. With the Falcons aiming to compete in the NFC South, every point — and every kick — will matter.
If Atlanta does bring in competition, Koo’s margin for error may be slimmer than ever.