The New York Giants have officially cut kicker Jude McAtamney following his critical missed extra points in their stunning 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos, a move that reverberated through the fan base and highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles beyond a single player’s performance.
The New York Giants made a decisive move, parting ways with second-year kicker Jude McAtamney just two days after his performance directly contributed to their agonizing 33-32 loss against the Denver Broncos in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. The decision, initially reported by various sources including NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, came after McAtamney missed two crucial extra points that ultimately swung the game’s outcome.
The Game That Sealed His Fate: A Stinging Collapse
Sunday’s matchup against the Broncos was a heartbreaker for Giants fans. The team, once holding a commanding 19-0 lead in the fourth quarter, saw it evaporate in a spectacular collapse. The Broncos scored all 33 of their points in the final frame, culminating in a game-winning field goal as time expired. While the defensive meltdown and questionable coaching calls were significant factors, McAtamney’s missed kicks loomed large in the narrow defeat.
His first miss came in the second quarter, an extra point that kept the Giants’ lead at 13-0 instead of 14-0. However, the most critical miss occurred in the chaotic fourth quarter. After the Giants fought back to retake a 32-30 lead with just 37 seconds remaining following a Jaxson Dart run, McAtamney failed to convert the subsequent extra point. This left the score at 32-30, setting the stage for Broncos kicker Wil Lutz to convert a 39-yard field goal to secure the 33-32 victory as time expired, transforming what could have been a tie into a devastating loss, as detailed by Yahoo Sports.
The news of his release quickly circulated, with reporter Jordan Raanan confirming the details on Tuesday, highlighting McAtamney’s struggles with extra points in recent games.
McAtamney’s Journey to Big Blue
Jude McAtamney’s path to the NFL was far from conventional. Hailing from Swatragh, Northern Ireland, he was a former Derry under-20 Gaelic footballer before transitioning to American football. He honed his kicking skills during two seasons with the Rutgers Scarlett Knights, where he made 12 of 19 field goal attempts and 23 of 24 extra points, accumulating 59 points in his college career.
He signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2024. His initial stint in 2024 saw him kick just once, converting his lone field goal and extra point attempt. His opportunity arose this season in Week 3 when veteran full-time kicker Graham Gano suffered a groin injury, opening the door for McAtamney to join the 53-man roster.
A Kicking Career in Flux: From Strong Start to Critical Misses
This season, McAtamney took the field in four games, showcasing a performance arc that went from promising to problematic. He made a strong statement against the Los Angeles Chargers, converting both of his field goal attempts and his sole extra point for 7 points. After a two-point performance against the New Orleans Saints, he went 4 of 5 on kicks against the Philadelphia Eagles, missing one extra point in that game. His performance against the Broncos marked his lowest point, converting only 2 of 4 attempts.
Following the devastating loss, McAtamney was remarkably candid about his performance in an interview with The New York Post, stating, “It’s on me. I missed vital points at vital times today. I’m not gonna shy away from that. The snap and the hold was good. It was my lack of execution on the kicks. I’m not gonna shy away from my mistakes and letting the team down.” This quote highlights his ownership of the errors, even as external factors played a role in the broader team collapse.
The Fan Perspective: Scapegoat or Deserved?
The immediate aftermath of McAtamney’s release saw a flurry of reactions from the Giants’ passionate fan base across social media. Many expressed a mixture of frustration and dark humor, highlighting the difficult nature of the decision:
- “Uber is hiring,” was a common, sarcastic refrain, suggesting a new career path for the former kicker.
- “Investigate him for gambling,” quipped another fan, a hyperbole born of disbelief at the misses.
- Some were surprisingly impressed by his journey: “Guy finessed his way into the NFL after being a backup kicker at Rutgers. I’m honestly impressed by that.”
However, a significant portion of the fan community quickly pivoted to a more critical analysis of the team’s overall performance, viewing McAtamney as a convenient scapegoat for deeper systemic issues. Arguments included:
- “But the defense allowed 33 pts in the 4th,” directly pointing to the larger defensive collapse.
- “Scapegoat for a meltdown. Say he makes those kicks. Denver still takes it to OT. They were down two scores with 5 minutes left. Why not cut Dart for throwing an int? Poor guy, Giants are poverty,” argued another, shifting blame to other players and the team’s general state.
- A hopeful, yet cynical prediction: “*turns his s**t around and becomes an all-time great kicker*,” a classic fan theory of a player performing better after leaving a struggling team.
Beyond the Kicker: Giants’ Deeper Issues
While McAtamney’s misses were undeniably impactful, they were symptoms rather than the root cause of the Giants’ stunning defeat. The defense conceded all 33 points in a lamentable fourth quarter, squandering what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. The late-game decision-making and overall execution painted a grim picture for Big Blue, extending beyond the kicking game. The fans’ reactions underscore a growing frustration with the team’s inconsistencies and inability to close out games, issues that predate McAtamney’s brief tenure.
What’s Next for the Giants’ Kicking Game?
With McAtamney waived, the Giants’ kicking situation remains a key storyline. The team had already signed cornerback Korie Black from the Jets’ practice squad as their only other move on Tuesday. The immediate solution for the kicking duties likely lies with veteran kicker Younghoe Koo, who is currently on the Giants’ practice squad and is expected to be promoted while Graham Gano remains on injured reserve. Gano is eligible to return as early as Week 8 against the Eagles, but his health status and readiness are still uncertain. The decision to cut McAtamney indicates that the Giants had seen enough, regardless of Gano’s immediate availability, and signals a desire for more consistent performance at the position.
