Parker Romo hits five field goals for Falcons, admits he didn’t know a teammate during postgame TV interview
Kicker elevated from Atlanta's practice squad went 5-for-5, including a 54-yarder, in 22-6 road win over Vikings and stumbled through a live interview while still learning teammates’ names
Parker Romo went 5-for-5 on field goals, including a 54-yarder, to help the Atlanta Falcons to a 22-6 road victory over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday night — and during a postgame television interview the newly elevated kicker appeared not to recognize a teammate standing beside him.
Romo, who was promoted from the Falcons’ practice squad on Saturday, converted all five attempts and did not miss from inside 55 yards in his first game for Atlanta. During the NBC interview with Melissa Stark he was standing between running back Bijan Robinson and linebacker Leonard Floyd when Stark asked whether he knew their names. Romo identified Robinson but initially did not name Floyd; Stark then identified Floyd and Romo shook his hand.
"You know their names, right?" Stark asked. "I know Bijan," Romo replied, pointing at the running back, who carried 22 times for 143 yards. The exchange drew a light-hearted response from NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, who noted Floyd was a veteran and a former first-round pick.
Romo, 28, entered the NFL as an undrafted player in 2022 and has had stops with the Saints, Lions and Bears. He did not make his NFL debut until last November with the Vikings, the team he helped defeat Sunday; he was 11-for-12 on field goals with Minnesota last season. The Patriots released him three weeks ago before he signed with the Falcons’ practice squad last Tuesday.
The Falcons chose to sit veteran kicker Younghoe Koo on Saturday, elevating Romo for the matchup against Minnesota. Romo learned he would handle kicking duties the morning of the game and performed without a miss, with his longest successful attempt coming from 54 yards.
The game provided a strong showing for Atlanta’s offense and special teams after a quick elevation from the practice squad. Robinson’s 143 rushing yards were the team’s primary offensive highlight, while Romo supplied the points that pushed the Falcons comfortably ahead.
Romo’s sudden prominence comes amid ongoing roster moves at the kicker position across the league. He likely will handle kicking duties for Atlanta next Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, giving him another opportunity to establish himself with his new team and to meet more teammates off the field.
Falcons coach and front-office officials have not issued further comments beyond the roster move announcing Romo’s elevation. The team’s decision to rest Koo and turn to a recently signed practice-squad player drew attention after the win, but the performance Sunday resolved immediate questions about the kicking job, at least for the short term.
Romo’s brief postgame stumble on names was treated as a minor moment in a game defined by his accuracy and the Falcons’ ability to control the clock and the scoreboard. The league will likely monitor Atlanta’s kicking situation in the days leading up to the next game, while Romo’s on-field work gives him a clearer path to remain in the role for now.