When Younghoe Koo grooved a potential 44-yard game-tying field goal to the right Sunday, the door swung open for an alternative.
That alternative hails from Peachtree City in the form of well-traveled Parker Romo, who just a day ago celebrated his return home by chowing down on short ribs at Atrium with his dad and brother.
“I’m very grateful to be back in Georgia and put on for the home team,” Romo said Thursday. After living here for 17 years, Romo became a football vagabond, playing for three Division I schools in his college career and six teams in his NFL tenure.
The 28-year-old emerged from a crowded tryout Tuesday to earn a spot on the Falcons’ practice squad. He gives them a viable option to replace Koo, their kicker whose inconsistencies of a year ago resurfaced in a 23-20 Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris, moments after Koo failed to send the game to overtime, bluntly stated the team needs to convert on its manageable kicks. Some felt Koo, who was 25-for-34 on field-goal attempts in 2024, inevitably would be replaced. But the Falcons introduced competition rather than jettisoning him.
Six veterans tried to earn the spot that ultimately went to Romo. He beat out Zane Gonzalez, Michael Badgley, Ryan Heicher, Ben Sauls and Maddux Trujillo.
Romo, cut loose from the Patriots after the exhibition season, made 11 of 12 field-goal attempts for the Vikings late last season.
“I came in and did really well, and they decided to keep me here,” Romo said. “Now I’m working as hard as I can to get on the field.”
He added: “They said it’s a competition. Any time you’re on the practice squad, you’re fighting for that role. Even if you’re active roster, just because you made the 53-man roster, that doesn’t mean you’re getting to play. Every day is an interview when you’re in the building, doesn’t matter if it’s practice or game.”
Romo’s career embodies persistence — and the plight of a nonrostered kicker. Romo was an All-State soccer player at McIntosh High School before spending his collegiate career at Central Arkansas (2016), Tulsa (2018) and Virginia Tech (2019-21).
His professional experience is also decorated in variety: New Orleans (2022), San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (2023), Detroit (2023), Chicago (2023), Minnesota (2024) and New England (2024 and this summer). His NFL experience almost is entirely on practice squads except for his temporary stint as Vikings kicker.
“Every day is an interview,” Romo said. “I just have to come in and do my job and see where things go. This is Year 4 for me and team No. 6, so I’ve gotten used to being comfortable being uncomfortable.”
The Falcons face the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday. Perhaps Romo gets his latest opportunity at the place he received his first extended NFL playing time. Otherwise, he’ll continue preparing amid uncertainty.
The Falcons are getting close to a decision.
“We are still evaluating,” Special teams coordinator Marquice Williams said on Friday. “We have another good day of work later (Friday) in practice. We’re still going through the process with our kickers when it comes to who’s going to be kicking this weekend. We’ll make a decision as we go on. It’s a collaborative decision between myself, Rah (Raheem Morris) and (general manager) Terry (Fontenot) as we move forward.”
Romo was the most impressive kicker during the tryout.
“Leg strength, his accuracy, his experience and I think his poise,” Williams of what made Romo the choice.
The Falcons liked how Romo fit in with the Vikings last season.
“He (went) into a situation last year when he took over for Will Reichard in Minnesota,” Williams said. “He did a great job. He missed only one kick (11 of 12). He did a great job when he was there. When you join a team in the middle of the season that is stress and some type of adversity to go in there and keep the ball rolling.”
Romo spent the offseason and training camp with New England.
“I like….his accuracy as well when it comes to him kicking the ball and the ball contact,” Williams said.
Williams was not certain the concerns with Koo are mental or physical.
“It’s a combination of both,” Williams said. “There is not easy equation to it. My experience with Koo, I know what makes him tick. I know what motivates him. I know what he thinks…..some of the best coaching is not to over-coach. I know when to coach and when not to over-coach. When to give him words of affirmation. When to be stern with him. It’s a case-by-case (situation) with players….it’s all about the player that you’re dealing with.”
The Falcons also have kicker Lenny Krieg on the practice squad. He’s an International pathways program.
“I would never say Lenny is lost in the shuffle,” Williams said. “He’s growing and developing each and every day. He’s doing a great job of getting better. Obviously, coming out of that (training) camp, Koo won that battle. Koo hit around 92% during OTAs’, training camp and in the (exhibition) season.”
The Falcons consider Krieg a developmental NFL player.
“I’m excited about his growth and his opportunity,” Williams said. “I know that once his number is called, he’s going to put his best foot forward and he’s going to shine in those moments.”
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