Saints add another kicker to challenge Smyth

The New Orleans Saints have signed 31-year-old Daniel Carlson, a two-time All-Pro kicker, to compete for the team's starting kicking job against Charlie Smyth.

Smyth, a 25-year-old former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, entered pre-season as the incumbent after taking over the role from Blake Grupe in November. As the starter last season, he converted 12 of 16 field-goal attempts and made all 13 of his extra-point tries.

Back in June, the Saints had already brought in 26-year-old Tanner Brown, formerly of the Louisville Kings in the United Football League, to challenge Smyth. However, Brown missed a 39-yard field goal in Saturday's pre-season loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Smyth himself missed a 52-yard attempt in a defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars the week before, prompting head coach Kellen Moore's side to pursue Carlson.

Carlson was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 but was waived during his rookie season before being picked up by the then Oakland Raiders. His standout years came in 2021 and 2022, earning second-team and first-team All-Pro honours respectively. He has played in every game over the past seven seasons, though his 81.5% field-goal success rate last year was his lowest since 2019.

Smyth, who signed a three-year contract last season, told BBC NI this month that competition for roster spots is "just the way it is in this business" and that he wouldn't take such signings personally.

The Saints play their final pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, before opening their 2026 regular season away to the Detroit Lions on 13 September.