What happened to Younghoe Koo? Giants kicker has bizarre missed field goal vs. Patriots

Teddy Ricketson

•
What happened to Younghoe Koo? Giants kicker has bizarre missed field goal vs. Patriots image

The New York Giants faced the New England Patriots for Week 13's "Monday Night Football" matchup. During the game, Giants kicker Younghoe Koo had one of the most bizarre missed field goals in recent memory. 

Koo approached the ball, and it looked like everything was normal. The kicker then planted his toe in the turf and completely whiffed the ball. The moment is the icing on the cake for the poor season Koo has had. He went from being one of the most reliable kickers in the league, to being cut by the Atlanta Falcons in favor of a kicker who was cut less than two months after he took over for Koo. 

Here is more on Koo's bizarre miss. 

MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff picture in Week 13

Younghoe Koo bizarre miss

Kickers miss field goal attempts all the time. They can shank them heavy in the wrong direction, they can miss short or they can get blocked. There have been thousands of kicks in the NFL, but it is tough to remember an attempt that ended with the kicker just missing the ball. It makes you wonder given all that he has been through this season, if Koo has the yips. 

The play technically doesn't even go into the box score as a missed kick. Instead, it is a sack on the holder Jamie Gillan and a loss of 13 yards. 

After the game, interim head coach Mike Kafka was asked about what happened with Koo and his botched kick. He said, "I saw it live, I saw it liv, it looked like the ball slipped a little bit so he wasn't sure if it was going to get set. Jamie tried to re-set it, but by that time, he [Koo] was already kind of out of his groove. It was just a tough bounce right there."

Social media reacts to Younghoe Koo miss

MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order in Week 13

Younghoe Koo kicking season stats

  • Games: 4
  • Field goals: 6-7
  • Extra points: 9-10
  • Long: 44 yards

Koo was originally signed to the Giants' practice squad. Graham Gano then suffered an injury, and Koo was elevated to the active roster. When Gano was added to injured reserve, Koo was signed to the active roster. 

Younghoe Koo teams

  • Los Angeles Chargers -- 2017
  • New England Patriots -- 2019 (practice squad)
  • Atlanta Falcons -- 2019-2025
  • New York Giants -- 2025

Younghoe Koo salary

After being released by the Falcons earlier in the 2025 season, Koo signed a one-year, $1.255 million contract with the Giants, per Spotrac. 

Content Producer

Senior Editor