Former Viking Melts Down on Grand Stage
The Minnesota Vikings employed a kicker named Parker Romo last season for about a month, assigned patchover duty when Will Reichard injured his quad.
One departed Minnesota Viking got his big chance on Sunday, and it did not go well — at all — out of the gate in his new role.
Romo kicked masterfully for the Vikings, but the team did not have room for him when Reichard healed and returned to the lineup.
About 10 months later, Romo latched onto the Atlanta Falcons‘ roster for full-time kicking duty — and promptly flopped on his first big stage.
Say It Ain’t So for Former Viking Parker Romo
Romo had it all on the line last weekend, and it didn’t go well.
Freshly Promoted, Parker Romo Flops
Sadly, the Falcons’ loss to the Carolina Panthers featured Romo on the biggest stage of his career, trusted with kicking tasks, along with no other kickers breathing down his neck for the first time ever.
He flopped.
CBS Sports noted, “Romo missed both of his field-goal attempts in Sunday’s 30-0 loss to the Panthers. Romo missed field-goal attempts from 49 and 55 yards in the first quarter, which ended up being his only opportunities of the day, as Atlanta was shutout in Week 3.”
“The kicker was signed to the active roster Friday after he went 5-for-5 on field-goal tries in Week 2 against the Vikings, but he wasn’t able to repeat his success against Carolina. Romo will look to get back on track in the team’s Week 4 matchup with the Commanders.”
It’s back to the drawing board for Romo.
A Change of Pace from His Vikings Majesty
Romo was a savior for the Vikings in October + November of 2024. Reichard hit injured reserve with a bad quad, and Romo came through the front door with guns blazing.
He kicked almost perfectly for Minnesota, delivered a game-winning field goal against the Chicago Bears a year ago, and served as the only source of points in a dub over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Romo played so well that a few fans even wondered if it was worth switching back to Reichard.
His Minnesota tenure inspired another stop, signing with the New England Patriots, a club that eventually picked a rookie kicker over Romo during the offseason. Biding his time, the Falcons made the call slightly over a week ago and actually signed Romo before a game against — you guessed it — the Vikings.
Romo kicked perfectly in Week 2 against Minnesota, but after Atlanta cut Younghoe Koo last week, Romo abruptly crumbled against the division rival Panthers.
Back to the Drawing Board for ATL
The next step? Well, Romo must have a short memory. The Falcons will likely stick with their plan, attributing Romo’s performance to a bad game and trusting him to make amends this Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
Romo’s kicks weren’t necessarily chip shots in Week 3, but in a league where every kicker seems to suddenly drill 50+ yard field goals with ease, the Falcons would eventually find someone else if Romo’s struggles persisted.
Younghoe Koo Gone
Thankfully for Romo’s sake, Atlanta cut ties with Koo, its kicker for seven seasons, to make room for Romo last week. In theory, the Falcons could reunite with Koo, but playing hot potato at the kicker spot doesn’t feel likely.
Most NFL teams don’t have room for two kickers, so hopping back and forth between Romo and Koo is not an option.
Romo must figure out his Week 3 troubles without Koo nipping at his heels, and if he does not, the Falcons will audition a non-Romo and non-Koo kicker, possibly Michael Badgley or former Viking Greg Joseph.
ESPN on Romo Last Week
ESPN Marc Raimondi noted on Romo before the poor Week 3 performance, “The Vikings gave Romo his first shot in the league last year, and he made 11 of 12 field goals. Romo was with the New England Patriots in training camp but was cut in August when their roster was trimmed down to 53 players.
He kicked at Virginia Tech and starred in the XFL in 2023. Another addendum to Romo’s story is that this is a homecoming for him. Romo is from Peachtree City, Georgia, in southern Metro Atlanta. The night after he signed, Romo had dinner with his father and brother at Ponce City Market, an Atlanta staple.”
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Reichard set a Vikings franchise record with a 62-yard field goal on the same day that Romo floundered.
“The day before learning he would be elevated for the game, Romo attended the football game of the high school he graduated from: McIntosh. This week, he moved his wife and two kids to Georgia near the team’s facility from Arkansas. The couple also has a baby on the way. The last few days have also yielded some time to chat with his teammates,” Raimondi continued.
“On Thursday, Romo introduced himself to star wide receiver Drake London at practice. Romo’s family sat next to London’s family during the Vikings game. The two chatted for a bit Thursday. London said Romo seemed like a ‘cool dude.'”
Here’s to hoping that Romo bounces back.
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