Full Breakdown
Younghoe Koo Joins New Orleans Saints Rookie Minicamp as Tryout Player
5/7/2026, 4:45:35 AM
Tryout Participation at Rookie Minicamp
Kicker Younghoe Koo is listed on the New Orleans Saints roster for this weekend’s rookie minicamp as a tryout player. The roster entry confirms that Koo will attend the camp on a tryout basis, providing the Saints an opportunity to evaluate his performance alongside other recent signings.
Recent Career Movements
Koo was released by the Atlanta Falcons after missing a game-tying field goal at the end of a Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following his release, he signed with the New York Giants and appeared in five games later in the season. During his Giants tenure, Koo missed a field-goal attempt in a loss to the New England Patriots, an event that attracted additional media attention.
Background & Context
Koo’s release from the Falcons followed a missed game-tying field goal in a Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Later, a missed field-goal attempt in a loss to the New England Patriots drew media attention beyond the on-field result: a Kentucky resident reportedly laughed at the miss, suffered a seizure, and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. These incidents have been cited in coverage of Koo’s recent career trajectory and have contributed to public scrutiny of his performance under pressure.
Statistical Overview
While with the Giants, Koo converted four of six field-goal attempts and eleven of twelve extra-point attempts. Over his NFL career, he has made 185 of 217 field-goal attempts (approximately 85 percent) and 186 of 194 extra-point attempts (approximately 96 percent). These figures provide a quantitative baseline for the Saints’ evaluation.
Team Roster Context
The Saints enter the minicamp with returning kicker Charlie Smyth slated to remain on the active roster. In addition, the team signed undrafted free-agent Mason Shipley, a placekicker, expanding competition at the kicking position. Koo’s tryout therefore occurs alongside established and newly signed specialists.
Criticism of Recent Performance
Observers have highlighted Koo’s high-visibility missed field goals as contributing factors to his release from the Falcons and limited usage with the Giants.
Broader Implications
If the Saints decide to retain Koo, he would compete directly with Smyth and Shipley for the regular-season roster spot. A successful minicamp showing could alter Koo’s market perception and affect the Saints’ kicking strategy for the season.
What’s Next
The Saints’ coaching staff will assess Koo’s performance during the minicamp drills and any subsequent preseason activities. The outcome of this evaluation will determine whether Koo receives a contract for the season or returns to free-agency status.
