Atlanta Falcons releases long-time kicker, Signs Younghoe Koo to contract

The Atlanta Falcons are making a change — at the kicking position.

The team announced on Tuesday it released longtime placekicker Matt Bryant. The Falcons all-time leading scorer is out after 10 seasons with the team, connecting on 259 of 296 career field field goals. But Bryant fell on tough times this year, going only 2-for-6 from at least 50 yards out.

Bryant, 44, became a Pro Bowler in 2016 when broke the team’s all-time points record and led the league in points scored. In announcing the release of Bryant, the Falcons said they signed a replacement in kicker Younghoe Koo, who previously played for the Atlanta Legends of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football league.

The team worked out Elliott Fry and Koo this week before ultimately deciding on the 25-year-old Koo.

The Seoul native previously played at Georgia Southern and was finalist for the Lou Groza Award during his time in Statesboro. He signed with the Los Angles Chargers after the 2017 NFL Draft. After being released by the Chargers, Koo signed with the Legends in 2019.

The Falcons, losers of six-straight games, could be making more changes this season.

Owner Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD), said this past weekend he will spend the next couple weeks to evaluate the future of head coach Dan Quinn. While the Falcons hope Koo can improve their kicking woes, the team is certainly lacking in other areas, which has led to Atlanta’s worst start to a season since 2003.