The Atlanta Falcons have surely endured their kicking woes this season. They began the year with veteran kicker Younghoe Koo, who had struggled the previous season and also dealt with a hip injury that sidelined him for their Week 16 game against the New York Giants, which Atlanta won 34-7.
Koo missed nine field goals during the 2024 season, and entering 2025, his job was on the line in training camp. He opened the season as the starter but missed a crucial attempt in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Koo was benched and later released, replaced by Parker Romo.
Romo did well for the Falcons, going 11 of 14 on field goals and 12 of 13 on extra points. However, he missed an extra point that would have tied the game against the New England Patriots, which Atlanta lost 23-24 in Week 9.
The Falcons Have Fixed Their Kicking Problem
The Falcons signed former Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez in November. Gonzalez has performed well for Atlanta, going six for six on field goals and six for six on extra points. He has made a definite impact on special teams.
Gonzalez even won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his Week 12 performance against the New Orleans Saints, making three field goals and an extra point.
It was reported by Terrin Waack that head coach Raheem Morris spoke about Gonzalez’s performance, saying, “He’s provided that operational peace. He’s done a nice job of doing that. He’s provided a lot of steady hand for us when it comes to those things.”
Falcons’ quarterback Kirk Cousins also spoke about Gonzalez after the Saints game, stating,
“In today’s NFL, with the way that they have even changed some of the rules in the last couple of years, games are going to come down to the final possession more often than not. “You see it every Sunday. The kicks are just such a big deal, and you do all you can as an offense to not have to rely on it, but you also know that it can be such a big part of your team’s success.”
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Gonzalez has been a great addition for the Falcons and could be there for the long haul due to his consistency on the field. He has kept them in games and been a clutch player for Atlanta. To answer the question of whether the Falcons have fixed their kicking problems, the answer is yes.