Sophia
A familiar face from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason roster has found a new home in the NFL. Kicker Ben Sauls, who impressed during his brief stint in black and gold, has officially joined the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, offering a potential solution to their early-season kicking woes.
The move, confirmed by the NFL’s transaction log, comes as the Falcons navigate significant uncertainty at the kicker position. After releasing long-time Pro Bowler Younghoe Koo, Atlanta is clearly searching for stability, and Sauls’ consistent preseason performance has made him an attractive option.
Atlanta’s Kicking Carousel Continues
The Falcons’ kicking struggles began in Week 1 when Younghoe Koo, a reliable presence since 2019, missed a crucial 44-yard field goal that would have tied their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the closing seconds. This miss set a concerning tone for the season.
In Week 2, Atlanta turned to Parker Romo, who initially delivered, making all five of his field goal attempts and his lone extra point try against the Minnesota Vikings. This strong showing led to Koo’s subsequent release. However, Romo’s fortunes reversed dramatically in Week 3, as he missed both of his field goal attempts in the Falcons’ loss to the Carolina Panthers. While Romo remains on the active roster, Sauls’ arrival on the practice squad signals that the competition for the starting job is far from over.
Sauls’ Journey from Pitt to the NFL
Ben Sauls was a standout at the University of Pittsburgh from 2020 to 2024, where he amassed 278 points, ranking him fifth all-time in program history. His familiarity with the Steelers’ facility, due to the shared grounds with Pitt, provided a seamless transition when he signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent in April.
Sauls showcased his potential throughout the preseason:
- Preseason Week 1 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Made his lone field goal attempt and all four extra point tries.
- Preseason Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Converted both extra point attempts but missed a 43-yard field goal.
- Preseason Week 3 vs. Carolina Panthers: A perfect performance, making all four of his field goals.
Despite his strong preseason, Sauls faced an uphill battle to make the Steelers’ 53-man roster due to the entrenched presence of veteran Pro Bowl kicker Chris Boswell. The Steelers even explored trading Sauls, a testament to his impressive showing, but ultimately found no suitors. He became a free agent after going unclaimed off waivers before the Falcons came calling.
Now, with an opportunity in Atlanta, Sauls has the chance to prove his preseason success was no fluke and potentially secure a spot on an NFL active roster. The Falcons’ ongoing search for a consistent kicker could provide the perfect stage for Sauls to make his mark.
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