To say the Atlanta Falcons have been proven right for some controversial mid-season releases would be an understatement. It feels like every time the franchise cuts ties with a former fan favorite, it doesn't take long for them to be proven right. In fact, this cycle happened twice in the last year alone.
The Falcons released Younghoe Koo after his unclutch ways saw him miss a game-tying field goal in Week 1 last year, which saw him meme himself into oblivion with the New York. Koo had been on a downward trajectory for years, and the missed kick was bad, but he officially hit rock bottom after.
And then there's Ray-Ray McCloud. Atlanta's receiver room was so desperate for contributors that he started games for them early last season. But when Ike Hilliard was fired after the Week 3 loss, he defended Hilliard, which Raheem Morris didn't like, so he was a healthy scratch before getting the axe.
For as vindicated as the Falcons should feel for releasing both of these players, they can't victory lap just yet. Both McCloud and Koo got NFL tryouts this past weekend, and it seems like they're starting to stare down the barrel of possible comebacks--so all hope might not be lost for them anymore.
Ex-Falcons Younghoe Koo and Ray-Ray McCloud are nearing NFL comebacks
Per ESPN's Marc Raimondi, Koo worked out for the Tennessee Titans, who auditioned a group of kickers due to some recent struggles from their incumbent starting kicker Joey Slye. And funnily enough, another ex-Falcons kicker and Koo's brief successor Parker Romo also got a tryout.
Did the Titans not watch him last year? He had the worst missed field goal in NFL history. I didn't even know a professional kicker could miss the football. But that's not all. He missed two pivotal kicks for the Giants in a close game against Washington. and could barely hold on for a week with the Jets.
As for McCloud, he worked out for the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but not before he signed with former Lions OC Ben Johnson's new team. Ray-Ray took his talents to the Windy City to join the Chicago Bears, where he'll be a depth receiver behind a loaded receiver room--and it's a solid spot for him.
Both Younghoe Koo and Ray-Ray McCloud have dealt with tough sledding ever since they left the Atlanta Falcons, but everybody deserves a second chance. For as bad as Koo has been, he still has a solid track record, and McCloud has proven he can be a quality depth WR in the right situation.
Bears signed former Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud III.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2026
Comebacks are on the horizon for both of these players, let's see if they can make the most of it.
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