Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Last weekend the Minnesota Vikings welcomed the Atlanta Falcons to U.S. Bank Stadium. The storylines were aplenty as the Week 2 matchup signified the return of multiple prominent players.
Not only was it Minnesota’s first home game of the year, but Adam Thielen ran out of the tunnel wearing purple again. Kirk Cousins was back in the building, and J.J. McCarthy was under center in front of the home fans for the first time.
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
There was also the return of one-time scorned kicker, John Parker Romo. He had just been signed to assume kicking duties for Atlanta, and he left the contest perfect. Now he’s got a full-time gig to boot.
John Parker Romo ends Atlanta Falcons kicking competition
Last summer John Parker Romo was annoyed he didn’t get a chance to show the Minnesota Vikings his abilities before they stuck with Will Reichard. He returned to kick in four games after the starter went down, and parlayed that into a deal with the New England Patriots.
Ultimately released, Parker Romo again got a chance when Younghoe Koo struggled for the Falcons, and he came in to kick against Minnesota. Going a perfect 5-for-5 won him the job for good.
The #Falcons are releasing veteran kicker Younghoe Koo, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.
Atlanta signed Parker Romo to the active roster after his perfect debut and now is moving forward without Koo, the third-leading scorer in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/fDhWknu7jN
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 19, 2025
Kicking against the Vikings last weekend, Parker Romo connected on kicks from 29, 33, 33, 38, and 54 yards. He also converted his lone extra-point on the evening.
That display was impressive, and it showed that he could step in and immediately contribute. Koo was benched after a Week 1 miss, and also doinking in a kick off the upright. Atlanta initially kept the veteran on the roster, but has since decided to roll with Parker Romo and release their kick of seven seasons.
Last year Koo opened the door to this possibility by hitting on just 73.5% of his field goals. He was just 6-of-9 from 50+ yards, and an even worse 7-of-11 from those between 40-49 yards.
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Parker Romo now gets to kick for his hometown team. The Peachtree City, Georgia native finished his collegiate career with Virginia Tech. He was known for having a big league during his time in the XFL, and now he’ll get a real opportunity to brandish that in the NFL.
Even though the Vikings didn’t stick with Romo, they have to feel good about their decision too. Will Reichard converted 80% of his field goals as a rookie, and was 8-of-11 from 50+ yards. He has started the season 4-of-4 and knocked home his lone extra-point.
Mentioned in this article: John Parker Romo
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