Younghoe Koo’s Dramatic Comeback with the Giants
Former Falcons Kicker Seizes Opportunity in New York
Younghoe Koo, the former kicker for the Atlanta Falcons, is poised to make his debut with the New York Giants this Sunday, marking a significant moment in his career. After being released by the Falcons in September, Koo is eager for redemption and ready to step into the spotlight.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll expressed confidence in Koo’s readiness, stating, “I would assume it’s going to be Koo.” This comes in light of starter Graham Gano being sidelined due to a neck injury, opening the door for Koo to showcase his skills once again.
Koo’s Journey to the Giants
Koo’s exit from Atlanta followed a disappointing performance in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he missed a crucial kick. The Falcons subsequently held a kicking competition ahead of their Week 2 clash with the Minnesota Vikings, which ended with Parker Romo securing the job after a flawless performance. Koo found himself without a team until the Giants signed him prior to their Week 4 match against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Initially brought in to fill a gap while Gano dealt with a groin injury, Koo has remained on the Giants’ practice squad. The Giants later signed Jude McAtammney, who competed for Gano’s position but struggled in the role. McAtammney made only two successful short kicks and was ultimately waived after missing two extra points in a narrow 33-32 defeat against the Denver Broncos in Week 7.
A New Chance to Shine
Koo, who boasts a career field goal percentage of 85.8%, is aiming to regain his form in Chicago. His tenure with the Falcons included four solid seasons, but a rocky 2024 season prompted Atlanta to explore other options. Following their decision to go with Romo, who also faced challenges—missing a vital extra point in a recent game—Atlanta has now turned to veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez for the remainder of the season. Gonzalez has a career average of 71.4% and managed to hit 5-of-7 attempts in 2024.
The Falcons’ kicking situation has been shaky, with Koo and Romo managing to connect on only 76.5% of their attempts through the first nine weeks, placing them 26th in the league. Now, with Koo’s arrival in New York, both the player and the Giants are eager to turn the page and embrace a fresh start.
As Koo prepares to take the field, the stakes are high for both him and the Giants in what could be a turning point in his career.
