Falcons Back Kicker Folk Despite Accuracy Dip
Special teams coach Craig Aukerman says he has confidence in Nick Folk after a stretch of missed field goals in 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Atlanta Falcons special teams coach Craig Aukerman expressed confidence in kicker Nick Folk despite a decline in accuracy this season. Folk has converted 12 of 15 field goal attempts through seven games in 2026, after missing an extra point against the San Francisco 49ers.
Why it matters
Field goal reliability can decide close games, and the Falcons have cycled through three kickers in 2025, making stability at the position a continuing concern for Atlanta. Folk's record since the 2023 season has been among the NFL's most accurate, which is why the team's public support carries weight.
Folk has made 12 of 15 field goals in 2026 (80%), compared with 28 of 29 (96.6%) in 2025 with the New York Jets. Two of his three 2026 misses came from beyond 50 yards, and the cause of the decline has not been identified.
The players
Nick Folk
Nick Folk is a veteran NFL placekicker, now 41, who previously kicked for the Tennessee Titans and the New York Jets before signing with Atlanta in March 2026.
Craig Aukerman
Craig Aukerman is the Atlanta Falcons special teams coach responsible for kicker technique and development.
The details
Aukerman coaches Folk on technique, including plant foot and angle, and has said he remains confident in the veteran kicker. Folk, who is 41, converted all three field goal attempts against the San Francisco 49ers after missing an extra point.
Timeline
2023 season: Folk converted 29 of 30 field goals with Tennessee.
2024 season: Folk converted 21 of 22 field goals with Tennessee.
2025 season: Folk converted 28 of 29 field goals with the New York Jets.
March 2026: Atlanta signed Nick Folk.
2026 season, first seven games: Folk converted 12 of 15 field goal attempts.
Season Trajectory
Atlanta cycled through three kickers in 2025 before signing Folk, so the reliability of this position is directly tied to the team's playoff positioning. A sustained accuracy drop would matter in close games where a single field goal can shift the standings.
Fantasy managers relying on Folk should track his field goal attempts over the coming games, since two 2026 misses came from beyond 50 yards. Kicker volatility can change weekly projections, so monitoring his distance-based attempts is a practical step.
The takeaway
Kicker accuracy often shows up in close-game outcomes before it shows up in season totals, so the next few games will reveal whether Folk's 2026 dip is temporary. Fans and fantasy managers can watch his attempt distances as an early signal.
Further reading
For more on the team's position battles, see Atlanta Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
