Giants Release Jude McAtamney After Costly Misses in Painful Loss to Broncos

The New York Giants released kicker Jude McAtamney on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after he missed two extra points in Sunday’s 33–32 loss to the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. The defeat was one of the team’s most difficult collapses of the season, as New York lost a 19–0 lead entering the fourth quarter.

McAtamney, 25, had missed three extra points over the previous two games. In Denver, his first miss came after a touchdown by running back Cam Skattebo that extended the Giants’ lead to 13–0, and the second came after quarterback Jaxson Dart’s touchdown pass that put New York ahead 32–30 with 37 seconds left. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix then led a final drive that ended with a field goal, completing Denver’s 33-point fourth quarter and securing the one-point victory.

After the game, McAtamney accepted responsibility for the misses, stating that he needed to make the kicks. He finished his stint with the Giants 9-for-12 on extra points and 1-for-1 on field goals. The team announced his release two days later.

The move affected betting markets ahead of the Giants’ upcoming matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. By midweek, DraftKings and FanDuel both listed Philadelphia as a 7-point favorite, with totals between 43.5 and 44.5 points and moneyline odds averaging around -350 for the Eagles and +280 for the Giants. Those figures have remained consistent since opening, indicating that the roster change produced minimal market movement. In their earlier meeting this month, sportsbooks opened with Philadelphia favored by 7.5 points and totals near 41, showing a slight increase in scoring projections but continued confidence in the Eagles.

FanDuel data showed steady betting on Philadelphia, while analysts from Action Network and Sports Illustrated noted that many bettors were waiting to confirm who would handle New York’s kicking duties before placing larger wagers. The Giants’ decision between veteran Graham Gano and practice-squad kicker Younghoe Koo is expected to be clarified later in the week.

Gano, 38, has been on injured reserve with a groin injury suffered during pregame warmups in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He resumed kicking last week as part of his recovery and is eligible to return if cleared. Koo, 31, joined the Giants’ practice squad after being released by the Atlanta Falcons last month. Over six seasons with Atlanta, he recorded an 86.8 percent field goal rate and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.

McAtamney had won the temporary job over Koo earlier this month after Gano’s injury. A native of Derry, Northern Ireland, and former Rutgers kicker, he joined the league through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, his first regular-season appearance in the NFL.

According to NorthJersey.com and The Record, the Giants are monitoring Gano’s recovery closely and could activate him for Sunday’s game if his progress continues. If not, Koo remains the likely replacement. McAtamney remains eligible to return to the practice squad under the NFL’s international player rules without occupying a roster spot.