Atlanta Falcons Sign Zane Gonzalez, Waive Parker Romo Following Kicking Struggles

The Atlanta Falcons have signed kicker Zane Gonzalez after a workout on Tuesday, following the decision to waive Parker Romo. This change comes as the Falcons prepare for their Week 10 game against the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin. The move is a response to recent kicking difficulties that have affected the team's performance.

Parker Romo, who joined the Falcons after Younghoe Koo's struggles early in the season, had a mixed performance. In seven games, Romo converted 11 of 14 field goals (79%) and 12 of 13 extra points (92%). However, his missed extra point in a narrow 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots proved critical, as it denied the Falcons a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Romo's tenure with the team was marked by pressure situations, including a missed game-tying 44-yard field goal by Koo in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Zane Gonzalez, 30, brings six seasons of NFL experience to the Falcons. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has played for four teams, most recently the Washington Commanders in 2024. During his time with the Commanders, Gonzalez made five of seven field-goal attempts (71%) and was perfect on extra points, going 19 for 19. His career statistics include 96 successful field goals out of 120 attempts (80% success rate) and 146 of 153 extra points (95.4%).

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris emphasized the importance of making crucial kicks in games, stating, “At the end of the day, you’ve got to make that kick and give yourself a chance. That’s the game… We’ve got to get it fixed and it has to be fixed now.” This sentiment reflects the urgency the team feels regarding their kicking situation.

Critics have pointed out that the Falcons' kicking woes have been a recurring issue, with both Koo and Romo failing in high-pressure situations. The decision to waive Romo after a single costly miss has raised questions about the team's management of the kicker position. Some analysts suggest that the Falcons should have made a change sooner, given the visible impact of missed kicks on game outcomes.

Falcons sign K Zane Gonzalez, waive Parker Romo

As the Falcons head to Germany for their matchup against the Colts, they will look to Gonzalez to provide stability in the kicking game. The team hopes that this change will mark the end of their kicking struggles and improve their chances of success in the second half of the season. The Falcons also have kickers Ben Sauls and Lenny Krieg on their practice squad, indicating ongoing efforts to solidify their special teams unit.