The New York Giants have made a decisive move, waiving kicker Jude McAtamney just two days after his crucial missed extra points contributed to a heartbreaking 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos. This dismissal signals a desperate attempt to stabilize the team’s special teams unit and save a season spiraling at 2-5, bringing veteran options Graham Gano and Younghoe Koo into sharp focus for the upcoming pivotal game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In a predictable yet impactful roster decision, the New York Giants officially waived kicker Jude McAtamney on Tuesday. The move comes in the direct aftermath of a devastating 33-32 defeat to the Denver Broncos, where McAtamney missed two extra-point attempts, including one late in the fourth quarter that proved catastrophic for the Giants’ hopes.
McAtamney, a second-year kicker from Northern Ireland and a product of Rutgers, had been with the team for four games, elevated to the active roster after veteran Graham Gano went on injured reserve. His tenure was marked by inconsistency, ultimately culminating in the high-stakes misses that directly impacted the Giants’ Week 7 outcome. “Gotta make the kicks,” McAtamney stated after the loss. “Not gonna shy away from that. I’ll take full responsibility.” This sentiment, while commendable, couldn’t prevent the inevitable roster change for the struggling Giants.
The Costly Misses: A Deep Dive into the Broncos Debacle
The Giants’ collapse against the Broncos was epic, transforming a 19-0 fourth-quarter lead into a heartbreaking defeat. McAtamney’s missed extra points played a significant role:
- His first miss came in the second quarter, impacting early game strategy.
- Later, when Jaxson Dart‘s rushing score put New York up 32-30 with just 37 seconds left, McAtamney missed the extra point wide right. This kept the Giants’ lead at two points instead of three.
- The two-point lead allowed the Broncos to drive 56 yards in 31 seconds, culminating in a 39-yard game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz as time expired, sealing the 33-32 victory. Had McAtamney made his kick, the Broncos would have needed a touchdown, not just a field goal, to win, or the game would have gone to overtime with a successful field goal.
Beyond the misses, McAtamney’s limited field goal range also affected offensive strategy, with coach Brian Daboll reportedly passing on several long-range attempts in previous games. During his four games, McAtamney converted 2 of 2 field goals (neither over 40 yards) and 9 of 12 extra points, as reported by Associated Press.
The Kicking Carousel: Gano’s Return and Koo’s Readiness
With McAtamney out, the Giants now turn to their two veteran options. The immediate focus is on the health of 38-year-old Graham Gano, who has been sidelined since Week 3 with a groin injury suffered during pre-game warm-ups against the Kansas City Chiefs. Gano, eligible to return from injured reserve, was expected to kick on Tuesday to assess his readiness for Sunday’s road game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN. When healthy, Gano has proven to be a reliable kicker, making 83.9% of his career field goal attempts.
However, Gano’s availability has been a concern, as he has battled injuries since the 2023 campaign, missing 20 games since that season. This recurring injury history creates an open door for Younghoe Koo, who has been on the Giants’ practice squad since Week 4. Koo, a former Pro Bowl kicker with the Atlanta Falcons from 2019 to 2025, was released earlier this year after missing a crucial field goal in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that would have sent the game into overtime.
The Path Forward for New York
The Giants’ coaching staff faces a critical decision. Coach Daboll initially held an open competition between Koo and McAtamney after Gano’s injury, which McAtamney won. Now, with McAtamney gone, the choice is between:
- A healthy Gano: If Gano can prove his fitness, he brings a track record of consistent, long-range kicking prowess.
- A motivated Koo: Koo has experience and Pro Bowl pedigree, looking for redemption after his release from Atlanta. He’s been practicing with the team for weeks.
The Giants (2-5) desperately need stability at kicker as they face a challenging schedule. The decision will not only impact upcoming games but could also define the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the season, particularly if Gano’s injury proves to be a lingering issue.
Fan Community Reactions and Future Implications
The fan community has been vocal about the Giants’ kicking woes. Discussions on forums and social media highlight frustration with the consistency at the position, especially given Gano’s injury struggles and McAtamney’s recent critical misses. Many fans are eager to see if Koo can recapture his Pro Bowl form and provide a much-needed boost, while others hold out hope for Gano’s full recovery, appreciating his past reliability.
The move to cut McAtamney is not just about one player; it’s indicative of a broader struggle within the Giants’ special teams and a lack of depth that has plagued them this season. The team was even forced to use punter Jamie Gillan as their placekicker in a Week 3 loss. The upcoming game against the Eagles will be a crucial test for whoever takes on kicking duties, as the margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin, especially for teams battling to stay relevant.
