The Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez and released defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham, the team announced on Wednesday.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the signing of Gonzalez on Tuesday after he participated in a workout at the team’s practice facility. The move comes after the release of Parker Romo, who had been handling kicking duties for the Falcons.
Gonzalez brings six seasons of NFL experience to Atlanta. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has played for four teams over 69 career games. Most recently, he was with the Washington Commanders in 2024, where he made five out of seven field-goal attempts (71%) across six games, including a long kick of 48 yards.
Over his career, Gonzalez has converted 96 out of 120 field-goal attempts, resulting in an 80% success rate. His longest successful field goal is a 57-yarder from his time with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Additionally, he has made 146 out of 153 extra points (95%), including a perfect record last season with all 19 attempts made.
The Falcons initially added Romo to their practice squad on September 9 following inconsistent performances from longtime kicker Younghoe Koo. Koo missed a crucial game-tying field goal against Tampa Bay in Week 1. After Romo delivered a strong performance against Minnesota in Week 2 by making all five field goals, Koo was released and Romo was promoted to the active roster.
Romo appeared in seven games for Atlanta this season, converting on 11 of his 14 field-goal tries (79%) and making 12 out of his 13 extra-point attempts (92%). His only missed extra point occurred during Sunday’s loss to New England; if successful, it would have tied the game late in the fourth quarter instead of resulting in a one-point defeat.
“Obviously, we’ve got to look at that, and we’ve started that process already,” said Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday. “We’ve worked out a bunch of different people, so we better bring people in and figure out what it’s going to be this week. At the end of the day, you’ve got to make that kick. Like we talked about, those pressure situations aren’t built on practice fields, they’re built in games, and they’re built in that environment.”
Currently, Lenny Krieg remains as another kicker option on Atlanta’s practice squad after Ben Sauls was released Tuesday.
On defense, Ta’Quon Graham departs after playing two games this season—making four tackles (one for loss) against San Francisco but recording no stats versus Miami. Graham began this year on injured reserve due to a calf injury sustained during training camp before being activated ahead of Week 7.
Drafted by Atlanta with a fifth-round pick in 2021, Graham played in a total of 51 games with sixteen starts since joining the team.
