Giants Release Jude McAtamney Following Broncos Loss
Jude McAtamney Released by New York Giants After Missed Extra Points
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Giants Waive Kicker Following Loss to Broncos
Jude McAtamney, the New York Giants’ kicker, was placed on waivers on September 26, 2024, following the team’s 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos. McAtamney missed two extra-point attempts during the game, a significant factor in the defeat.
The 25-year-old from Swatragh, Northern Ireland, initially made the 53-man roster due to an injury to veteran kicker Graham Gano. McAtamney joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2024 after playing football for Derry Under-20s and Rutgers University.
Performance and Accountability
Prior to Sunday’s game, McAtamney had missed one of his first ten extra-point attempts. The typical extra-point conversion rate in the NFL is around 95%, making his struggles notable. Following the loss,mcatamney took full responsibility for his performance,stating in an interview with the New York Post on September 24, 2024: “It’s on me. I missed vital points at vital times today. I’m not gonna shy away from that.”
He further clarified that the snap and hold were good, attributing the misses to his own execution: “The snap and the hold was good. It was my lack of execution on the kicks. I’m not gonna shy away from my mistakes and letting the team down.”
Factors Beyond the Kicking Game
While McAtamney’s missed kicks drew immediate attention, the New York Giants’ defense and coaching decisions also contributed to the loss. The team conceded all 33 points in the fourth quarter, highlighting broader issues beyond the kicking game.
looking Ahead: Options for the Giants
The Giants face the Philadelphia Eagles on October 6, 2024. Their kicking options include restoring Graham Gano from injured reserve or promoting Younghoe Koo, a former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler, from their practice squad.
McAtamney could potentially return to the Giants’ practice squad through his international exemption via the International Player Pathway. however,the negative reaction from the fanbase following the Broncos loss may make this unlikely.