Football team Atlanta Falcons terminate contract of veteran player Younghoe Koo, two weeks after his costly mistake on the field
Younghoe Koo, a kicker with a storied career, has been released by the Atlanta Falcons following a critical missed field goal in the season opener. Koo, who joined the Falcons in 2017, has been a key player for the team, despite a history of missing consecutive kicks. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in the 2020 season, a year in which he led the league in field goals made and was the highest scoring player in the NFL. In that exceptional 2020 season, Koo set a new standard, breaking records and cementing his place among the best in the league. His field goal accuracy of 93% was a testament to his skill and consistency. However, his performance dipped slightly in the following seasons, converting 86.5% of his attempts in both 2022 and 2023. Last season, Koo struggled, converting only 73.5% of his field goal attempts. This dip in form, culminating in a missed 44-yard field goal in Week 1 of the current season, which would have tied Atlanta's first game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seems to have been the deciding factor in the team's decision to release him. Prior to his time with the Falcons, Koo played for the Los Angeles Chargers and was cut from the team in the 2017 season. He spent time in the Alliance of American Football before joining the New England Patriots' practice squad in 2019. Koo was later re-signed by the Falcons in October 2023. During his tenure with the Falcons, Koo left as the third-leading scorer in franchise history behind fellow kickers Matt Bryant and Morten Andersen. His departure marks the end of an era for the team, as they look to replace him with John Parker Romo, who was elevated from the practice squad to replace Koo. Koo's career field-goal accuracy of 86.5% places him seventh among active players and 15th all-time in NFL history for field-goal accuracy (with at least 100 kicks). His college days at Georgia Southern saw him shine as a star, but he went undrafted out of school. As Koo moves on from the Falcons, he leaves behind a mixed legacy. His Pro Bowl season and status as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history are undeniable highlights. However, his struggles in recent seasons and the critical missed field goal in the season opener will likely be a lasting memory for fans and the team alike.
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