Atlanta Falcons are once again saying goodbye to their longtime kicker Matt Bryant. Falcons announced on Tuesday that they have released Bryant and signed former Los Angeles Chargers’ kicker Younghoe Koo as his replacement.
Falcons already released Bryant after the end of 2018 NLF season but ended up bringing him back on a one-year, $3 million contract in August after his replacements struggled in the offseason. The 44-year-old veteran, however, had his own struggles as he missed five out of 14 field goals he attempted this season. He also missed a game-tying extra point against Arizona Cardinals in Week 7.
“I’ve got a long history with him, so I know kind of where it’s at,” – said Falcons’ head coach Dan Quinn after parting ways with Bryant. “Over the last few weeks, we’ve missed the mark. Like anything, you want to take a look and evaluate.”
Bryant was the longest-tenured Falcon on the team alongside quarterback Matt Ryan. He is also a franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
Falcons hope that they will have more luck with Koo, who last kicked with Chargers in 2017. He appeared in four games that season, converting three out of six FGs attempted.
Since then, Koo played in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football and was part of New England Patriots’ practice squad.
