Charlie Smyth is officially out as the New Orleans Saints’ starting kicker, waived before the new NFL season even kicks off. It’s a tough break for the 25-year-old former Gaelic footballer who made a real splash last year, but the writing was on the wall after a heated pre-season battle that saw two-time All-Pro Daniel Carlson snag the job.
The Kicking Competition Was Absolutely Brutal
Coming into pre-season, Smyth was the incumbent, having taken over from Blake Grupe last November. Last season, he was solid, hitting 12 of 16 field goals and nailing all 13 of his extra-point attempts as a starter. But the Saints were clearly looking for more, bringing in serious competition with Carlson and former Louisville Kings kicker Tanner Brown. Smyth himself acknowledged the cutthroat nature of the league, telling BBC NI that competition is “just the way it is in this business” and he wouldn’t take new signings “personally.” Carlson, with his first-team and second-team All-Pro nods in 2022 and 2021 respectively, was definitely an imposing force. He hasn’t missed a game in seven seasons, even if his 81.5% field goal success rate last year was his lowest since 2019.
Carlson’s Clutch Kick Sealed the Deal
The competition clearly intensified, especially in those final pre-season games. Smyth had a mixed bag, including a 52-yard miss against the Jacksonville Jaguars a week before. Tanner Brown also struggled, missing a 39-yard attempt in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. But the deciding moment came in the Saints’ final pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys. Smyth connected on one extra point, but Carlson, who joined the team after those previous pre-season matches, absolutely drilled two field goals. One of those was the winning points from a massive 53 yards out in their 27-24 victory. That kind of clutch performance makes it incredibly hard for a coach to ignore, and it looks like it was the final nail in the coffin for Smyth’s starting role.
What’s Next for Charlie Smyth?
While this is a blow, it doesn’t mean Smyth’s NFL journey is over, not by a long shot. Because he came through the NFL’s international player pathway (IPP), the Saints could still keep him on their practice squad. IPP players don’t count towards the usual 16-player limit, which is a huge advantage. Plus, other NFL teams have until Monday at 17:00 BST to sign any released players. Smyth could easily become an option for another team that needs a kicker, and then practice squads can start filling up. It’s a rollercoaster, but there’s definitely still a path forward for him. The Saints kick off their regular season on September 13th, away to the Detroit Lions.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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