The Atlanta Falcons have made a move to bolster their kicking game, signing former Minnesota Vikings kicker Parker Romo to their practice squad on Tuesday, Sept. 9, the team confirmed.
That means Romo faces his former squad, the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
The signing comes on the heels of a disappointing Week 1 performance by veteran kicker Younghoe Koo, who missed a crucial 44-yard field goal that could have forced overtime in the Falcons’ 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Head coach Raheem Morris had promised swift action following the loss, emphasizing the team’s commitment to a “highly competitive atmosphere.” True to his word, the Falcons held tryouts for several kickers on Tuesday morning, including Romo, Zane Gonzalez, Michael Badgley, and Ben Sauls.
Romo, a 28-year-old Peachtree City native, emerged as the choice to join the practice squad, bringing a local connection and a proven track record to the team.
From XFL To NFL
Romo, the Atlanta Falcons’ new kicker, played in the XFL during its 2023 season. He was signed by the San Antonio Brahmas and appeared in all 10 of their games, converting 17 of 19 field goal attempts (89.5%) for 51 total points.
This performance led the league in field goal percentage, earned him a spot on the All-XFL Team, and included a then-record 57-yard field goal (later broken). Prior to his recent elevation to the Falcons’ active roster from their practice squad on September 13, 2025, Romo had limited NFL experience with teams like the Minnesota Vikings, but his XFL success helped build his professional profile as an undrafted free agent.
Romo, who played college football at Virginia Tech and Tulsa, appeared in four games for the Vikings in 2024, converting an impressive 11 of 12 field goal attempts, with his lone miss coming from the 40-49 yard range.
He also made 7 of 8 extra-point attempts and showed reliability on kickoffs. His longest career field goal, a 55-yarder, highlights his potential to compete at the NFL level.
The Falcons’ decision to sign Romo signals a direct challenge to Koo, a 2020 Pro Bowl kicker who has been a mainstay in Atlanta for seven seasons.
While Koo has historically been reliable, making 85.8% of his career field goal attempts, his performance dipped in 2024 with a career-low 73.5% success rate (25-of-34). Sunday’s miss against Tampa Bay, coupled with another attempt that banked off the upright but went through, has put Koo under scrutiny.
“I had a great offseason, great camp,” Koo told reporters Monday, expressing frustration over the miss. “I know I’m better than that, and on top of that, letting the guys down.”
Koo noted challenges with the Mercedes-Benz Stadium turf, saying his foot was hitting the ground, which required an adjustment he failed to execute properly.
To make room for Romo on the practice squad, the Falcons released edge rusher Ronnie Perkins, a former third-round pick who has been signed and released multiple times by the team.
Atlanta also has rookie kicker Lenny Krieg on the practice squad as part of the NFL’s international player pathway program, giving the team three kickers as they prepare for a primetime matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.
While Romo’s signing does not immediately displace Koo, it creates pressure for the veteran to rebound quickly.
Morris has made it clear that the team is exploring all options, both internally and externally, to ensure reliability at the position. With Romo’s prior experience with the Vikings, whom the Falcons face this weekend, and his strong performance last season, he could be a viable option if Koo’s struggles persist.
The Falcons (0-1) are looking to bounce back from their season-opening loss as they travel to Minnesota for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown.
Final Word
Whether Koo retains his starting role or Romo gets a chance to step up, the kicking competition will be a storyline to watch as Atlanta aims to get back on track in Week 2.
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