As the NFL trade window closed on Tuesday, November 4, the Atlanta Falcons made a surprising move, releasing former beloved Minnesota Vikings kicker John Parker Romo after he missed a potential game-tying extra point against the New England Patriots in Week 9.
Romo had missed just one other kick all season after replacing Younghoe Koo. Romo made his debut for the Falcons in Week 2 against a Vikings team that helped him cement his NFL career. Romo hit all five of his field-goal tries in the 22-6 win for the Falcons, including a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter.
The game was a reminscient of Romo’s clutch days in Minnesota, steadying the Vikings to a five-game winning streak while rookie kicker Will Reichard was out last season. He scored every point in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played hero on the road and hit an overtime game-winner against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. His final act: converting a clutch field goal in a fourth-quarter comeback over the Arizona Cardinals last week.
Romo was released once Reichard returned and was signed off waivers by the Patriots to close out the 2024 season before he joined the Falcons.
Romo’s time in Minnesota won him more staying power in the NFL, but for the moment, his future is uncertain.
What Happened to Kirk Cousins at the NFL Trade Deadline? Vikings-Falcons Rumors Nixed
While the Falcons parted ways with one former Viking, Kirk Cousins remains in Atlanta despite intensified trade rumors.
Cousins’ interest in a reunion with the Vikings resurfaced ahead of J.J. McCarthy‘s return to action in Week 9, and had McCarthy had another setback, there’s not telling what might have happened.
Instead, McCarthy willed the Vikings to their first win over the Detroit Lions since 2022, scoring three touchdowns in a 27-24 victory.
Kevin O’Connell addressed the potential for a quarterback trade at the deadline with the idea of bringing in a veteran voice to the quarterback room with Carson Wentz on injured reserve.
Kevin O’Connell Addresses Vikings QB Situation Moving Forward
It’s officially McCarthy or bust for Minnesota.
Twenty-four hours before the trade deadline, OâConnell addressed the potential of a quarterback trade. While he admitted that itâs important to always have conversations, O’Connell expressed his confidence in his quarterback depth with a move the team already made, signing veteran John Wolford to the practice squad.
Wolford and OâConnell spent time together with the Los Angeles Rams. Wolford was the teamâs preferred trade target when Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023 before pivoting to Josh Dobbs.
âI think with bringing John in,â OâConnell said, âit was something where we wanted to make sure we had a third guy in the room, a guy I know very well. He immediately picked up where I remember being with John â super smart, has a pretty high level of quickness and athleticism. ⦠Heâs got experience understanding how our pass offense works and how we want to operate. So as he said, heâs the old man in the room now and I think thatâs important for two young guys.â
McCarthy and Max Brosmer have plenty of experience guiding them moving forward with O’Connell and quarterback coach Josh McCown’s playing experience and quarterback assistant Jordan Traylor’s background.
âTo have that third guy (Wolford) in there with Josh and Jordan, I feel pretty comfortable with that room right now,â OâConnell added.
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