This unit has kept the same trio since 2022. Will that continue in 2025?

Terrin Waack

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. Before training camp begins next week, let's talk about the Atlanta Falcons' special teams.

The Falcons have retained the same starting trio kicker Younghoe Koo, punter Bradley Pinion and long snapper Liam McCullough since 2022. Coordinator Marquice Williams has been around since at least then, too. So, there has been personnel consistency in Atlanta's third phase of the game. That, however, may be at risk in 2025 after a rocky kicking performance in 2024.

Find out more about the Falcons' special teams heading into the new season below.

Offensive position previews:QB|RB|WR|TE|OL

Defensive position previews:DL|EDGE|ILB|CB

RELATED:Falcons announced 11 open training camp practices

SPECIAL TEAMS

Position coaches:Marquice Williams (coordinator), Steven King (assistant)

Returning starters:Younghoe Koo (kicker), Bradley Pinion (punter), Liam McCullough (long snapper)

Notable newcomers:Lenny Krieg (kicker)

Rest of the roster:N/A

Offseason departures:N/A

3 key questions for Falcons special teams

1. Is Younghoe Koo back to full health?

Koo joined the Falcons in 2020 and had been successful on at least 86.5% of his field-goal attempts each year until 2025, when he dropped to 73.5% (25 of 34). Koo missed a season-high nine field goals last year, including a game-high three in the Falcons' Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. It was uncharacteristic for the 30-year-old veteran.

To be fair, Koo was placed on injured reserve in Week 16 due to an issue with his right hip and did not finish out the 8-9 season. Riley Patterson filled in the final three games, making four of his seven (57.1%) attempts.

"We missed entirely too many kicks this year," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said at 2024 season's end. "The brutal honest truth that can't happen."

RELATED:Raheem Morris reflects on missed field goals

2. Will Lenny Krieg earn a spot regardless?

Given Koo's kicking woes and hip injury last season, the Falcons signed Krieg this offseason to encourage competition in training camp. Krieg, however, offers the Falcons a loophole to keep both him and Koo on the roster without taking up two spots for the normally one-spot position. Because Krieg is a participant in the NFL's International Player Pathway program, he could be chosen for the Falcons' IPP spot and therefore wouldn't count toward the 53-man limit.

Krieg has the opportunity to earn a regular spot on this own, too. The 22-year-old German rookie impressed the Falcons at the 2025 NFL Combine, where he didn't miss any of his 14 field-goal attempts.

"Just seeing him kick in person, spending more time with him (and) getting to understand his why why he plays the game and why he loves the game it was a no-brainer to bring him in and have him be a part of our team," Williams said.

RELATED:Koo and Krieg to compete for kicker job

3. How will the change to the dynamic kickoff rule affect games?

The NFL introduced the dynamic kickoff rule in 2024 and has since made a minor tweak to the format that could have a major impact in 2025. It was announced at the Annual League Meetings in April that the ball will now be placed on the 35-yard line rather than the 30-yard line following a touchback. This decision was made to encourage even more returns.

The league already saw an increase in return rate, going from 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% in 2024. There were 919 returns last season, which was nearly triple the 332 from the year prior.

"There was only 16% of the balls returned over the 34-yard line," said Denver Broncos special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Darren Rizzi, who helped create the dynamic kickoff. "So, 84% of the time you had a chance to tackle your opponent inside the 35. We've projected; we've run the models. Who knows exactly what the percentage is going to be? I would tell you, probably in the 70-75% range, the return rate, but that remains to be seen."

RELATED:Why the NFL moved touchbacks up on kickoffs

Up Next

Videos

Ben Solak explains how Michael Penix Jr. can take the next step & more | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

FULL INTERVIEW: Michael Penix Jr. and Michael Vick

Videos

Mike and Mike: Michael Vick sits down with Michael Penix | Atlanta Falcons | NFL

Videos

"Absolutely not!" Brandon Dorlus & Ruke Orhorhoro debate arcades & restaurants on Ruffled Feathers

Videos

Who's the swaggiest? Tier listing football position groups based on swag | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Weirdest fun facts from Falcons history: John Wayne, Vince Lombardi, Barefoot Bryant & more!

Videos

Atlanta Falcons Face-Off! Tyler Allgeier & Carlos Washington Jr. argue ping-pong on Ruffled Feathers

Videos

Bijan Robinson's Berlin Adventure

Videos

Who are the best Atlanta Falcons since 2000? We made a bracket to find out | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Atlanta Falcons head-to-head debate: How much sleep do you really need? | Ruffled Feathers

Videos

Mailbag: Jalon Walker's role, sleeper impact players & a fan's guide to training camp | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Atlanta Falcons 2025 Minicamp Highlights | Top Plays | NFL

Videos

Final thoughts from Falcons' OTAs, early look ahead to training camp | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Jessie Bates III, Jalon Walker & other defensive Falcons on positive momentum through OTAs

Videos

Bijan Robinson, Ryan Neuzil & Emory Jones share final thoughts on offensive progress throughout OTAs

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Mandatory Minicamp Day Two Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Kirk Cousins, Drake London & more speak to the media during mandatory minicamp | Press Conference

Videos

Michael Penix Jr. speaks on team growth following day one of Mandatory Minicamp | Press Conference

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Mandatory Minicamp Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Atlanta Falcons 2025 OTA Highlights | Top Moments from Offseason Program

Videos

Falcons legend Michael Vick on coaching in college, Michael Penix Jr. & his favorite Falcons memory

Videos

Bijan Robinson's next step, expectations for Kyle Pitts & more from OTAs | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

A.J. Terrell Jr. & Divine Deablo are hyped about new-look defense | Press Conferences

Videos

Bijan Robinson, Drake London & others speak on building offensive weapons in OTAs | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Raheem Morris excited for the effort & work out on field during OTAs| Press Conference

Videos

On the Rise | S5E3 | Bright Futures Begin for Atlanta Falcons 2025 Rookie Class

Videos

Falcons kick off OTAs + Deep dive into realistic rookie expectations | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Jessie Bates III, Kaden Elliss & other defensive Falcons reflect on first practice of 2025 OTAs

Videos

Michael Penix Jr., Darnell Mooney & others speak with media following the first practice of OTAs

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris OTAs Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

D.J. Williams, T.J. Yates & others speak on exciting future for Falcons' offense | Press Conference

Videos

Jerry Gray, Nate Ollie & other Atlanta Falcons defensive coaches speak with media | Press Conference

Videos

Georgia Girls Flag Football / House Resolution 347 Celebration

Videos

Marquice Williams, Zac Robinson & Jeff Ulbrich give updates on offseason program | Press Conferences

Videos

Atlanta Falcons open up OTAs at Flowery Branch training facility | Highlights | NFL

Videos

Breaking down EVERY game of the 2025 Atlanta Falcons schedule | NFL Schedule Release

Videos

Welcome to ATL Kart | Schedule Release 2025

Videos

It's finally HERE! Full Falcons schedule deep dive, hardest stretch & more | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Atlanta Falcons Rookie minicamp highlights | First look at 2025 Draft Class | NFL

Videos

Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. & other Atlanta Falcons excited to get to work on field | 2025 Rookie Minicamp