Koo, once undrafted, rose to prominence with a 2020 season that featured 37 makes on 39 attempts and a Pro Bowl nod; he has 93 games of NFL experience and a long 58-yard make. This signing with the Giants situates him as a high-upside insurance option behind Gano, with a proven track record in pressure kicks.

Koo’s downturn culminated in a 2024 drop (25-of-34, 73.5%), an IR stint, and a Week 1 miss that helped trigger Romo’s promotion. The Falcons released him as Romo seized control, ending a tenure that had been consistently reliable prior to this season’s drop.

<p>Koo’s trajectory—stellar early years, followed by a mid-career decline and a high-paying deal that didn’t sustain peak performance—serves as a cautionary tale about investing in kickers.</p><p>The Falcons’ benching after a critical miss illustrates how performance slippage can erode value quickly, reinforcing the volatility of the kicker market even for players with elite leg power.</p>

Koo's Week 1 struggles reignite the kicking debate and keep him on the Falcons' roster as Romo's ascent tests his job security.

Koo missed a 44-yard game-tying attempt in Week 1, triggering Romo's promotion and setting the stage for Atlanta's Week 2 kicker competition and Romo's eventual success.