Younghoe Koo: Did get cut| Released| Cut| What happened to| Benched

Introduction

Younghoe Koo has established himself as one of the more reliable placekickers in the NFL since joining the Atlanta Falcons. But recent miscues and organizational moves have raised questions: has Koo been cut or released? Was he benched? What is going on with his status? This article examines the facts, his career, recent performance issues, and what the future might hold.

A Brief Background: Who Is Younghoe Koo?

• Early Life and Rise to NFL: Born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1994, Younghoe Koo moved to the U.S., played college football at Georgia Southern, went undrafted in 2017. He first signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, then had stints in alternative leagues and with practice squads.

• Atlanta Falcons Tenure: He joined the Falcons in 2019 and steadily built up a reputation as a reliable kicker. Over several seasons, he delivered accurate field goals and extra points. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.

• Career Highlights & Stat Lines: Koo has made over 85% of his field goals in his career. He has had seasons with very strong accuracy (above 90%), although his performance has dipped in recent years.

Recent Issues: What’s Gone Wrong

Performance Decline

• 2024 Season: His field goal percentage dropped substantially, to around 73.5%, which was the lowest since he became a full-time kicker for Atlanta.

• Week 1, 2025: In the Falcons’ opening game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Koo missed a 44-yard field goal attempt with two seconds left that would have tied the game. That miss seemed to be the tipping point.

The Team’s Response

• The Falcons didn’t immediately cut or release Koo. Instead, they explored other options at kicker after his performance, including workouts with John Parker Romo, and later signed Romo to their practice squad.

• For Week 2 vs. the Minnesota Vikings, the Falcons benched Koo: he was downgraded to out (non-injury designation) and did not travel with the team. In his place, Parker Romo was elevated from the practice squad.

So, Did He Get Cut or Released?

Short answer: No, as of now, Younghoe Koo has not been cut or released from the Atlanta Falcons.

• Bench vs Release: Being benched or designated out for a game is different from being cut or released. A release means the team terminates his contract, making him a free agent. No credible source shows the Falcons have done that yet.

• The Falcons instead appear to be making a change for at least the short term, giving someone else (Rom o) a chance to handle the placekicking duties. But being “scratched” (healthy scratch) or benched is not equivalent to a contract termination.

What Exactly Does “Benched / “Out / Scratched” Mean for Koo?

• Healthy Scratch: This is when a player is available (i.e., no injury preventing him), but the team chooses not to play him. In Koo’s case, he was listed as out with a non-injury designation.

• Not Traveling with the Team: For Week 2, Koo did not travel to the game in Minnesota. That is a strong indication the team was making a statement.

• Replacement Activation: The team elevated Parker Romo from the practice squad to act as the kicker in Koo’s place for that game.

Why Is the Falcons’ Management Making This Move?

There are multiple reasons that seem to have motivated the Falcons’ decision. Putting these together:

1. Missed Critical Field Goals: The missed 44-yard attempt in Week 1 was a high-pressure situation with game consequences. This tends to weigh heavily in evaluations.

2. Trend of Declining Accuracy: Koo’s FG percentage has fallen off over time, especially last season. Decision makers seem to have lost some confidence.

3. Internal Evaluation / Competition: The Falcons have been exploring internal and external options at kicker. That suggests they are preparing for contingency or looking for a change if Koo doesn’t bounce back.

4. Roster Management and Accountability: NFL teams often bench or give temporary breaks to underperforming players. Benchings are also a way to motivate or signal expectations. It doesn’t always result in a cut, but it is a warning.

What Are the Implications for Younghoe Koo?

Short-Term

• Koo’s status as starting kicker is in jeopardy; being benched for a game, not traveling etc., are signs that the team is evaluating other options.

• If the replacement kicker performs well (in this case Romo), it increases the likelihood Koo could be permanently replaced.

Medium/Long-Term

• Contract Status & Job Security: If performances don’t improve, Koo may be released. But that would depend on his contract terms, cap implications, and how the other kicker(s) perform.

• Reputation: Koo has built a strong reputation over several years; one or two bad games wouldn’t erase his past, but consistency matters. Missed kicks in clutch situations often carry a heavier weight in fan and management perceptions.

• Opportunity to Adjust: He may get chances in practice, preseason, and future games to correct mechanical issues or mental approach. Kicking can be as much about confidence and routine as physical skill.

Comparison: Was He Ever Cut Before? Yes — Early in Career

Yes, Younghoe Koo was cut early in his career, but those were very different circumstances.

• 2017 Chargers: As a rookie, he was waived (cut) by the Chargers after four games. He had some misses and the team wanted someone with more experience. Wikipedia+1

• Stints in Other Leagues and Practice Squads: After being released, he played in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and was on the Patriots’ practice squad.

So, being released is not new in his story—but what distinguishes this time is the amount of time he has been with the Falcons, his prior successes, and the expectations.

What Exactly Did the Team Say?

Let’s look at what public statements and reliable sources say:

• The Falcons formally announced that Koo has been benched and will not travel with the team for Week 2 vs. Minnesota.

• The team clarified that being ruled out was not injury-related.

• They also described elevating Parker Romo as a response to the Week 1 performance, and that the kicker position would be competitive.

What Fans & Observers Are Saying

Fans and analysts have nearly unanimously noted:

• The missed kick in Week 1 was a major turning point.

• There has been concern about long-term decline. Some believe Koo’s mechanics or confidence may have slipped.

• Others think the Falcons are making a fair move, given that kickers are interchangeable in many readers’ minds if performance drops.

Questions That Remain Unanswered

• Is this benching permanent, or just for one game? As of now, no confirmation. It could be temporary to send a message.

• What does his contract say? Whether he can be released without large financial penalty could affect how this plays out.

• Will the Falcons give him another chance? Many teams do allow veterans to correct course.

• If replaced, will Koo catch on elsewhere? His previous track record suggests other teams may still view him as a valuable option.

What Could Koo Do to Rebound?

1. Address Technical/Mechanical Issues: If part of the accuracy drop is mechanical (stance, motion, plant foot, etc.), working with private coaches or special teams coaches could help.

2. Mental Preparation: Missed clutch kicks often weigh heavily on confidence. Sports psychology, visualization, and consistency in pre-kick routines could matter.

3. Practice & Smaller Game Situations: Rebuilding trust in low-pressure situations may help restore performance under high pressure.

4. Seize Any Opportunity Romo or Others Falter: If the replacement misses or fails, showing readiness and consistency would boost Koo’s chances to reclaim the job.

Possible Scenarios Going Forward

Let’s consider where this might go over the next few weeks:

Conclusion

• No, Younghoe Koo was not cut or released from the Falcons—at least not yet.

• Yes, he was benched/offset for Week 2, did not travel, and lost the kicking role temporarily to Parker Romo.

• The move appears to be a response to performance decline and high-pressure missed attempts.

• Whether this is permanent depends heavily on how he responds and how Romo performs.

For fans who wondered: being cut means you’re off the team; being benched or scratched, even if healthy, is often a signal—but not always the end. Koo’s past suggests he can bounce back, but unless something shifts, the Falcons seem ready to explore other options.