Saints transition to veteran leadership
The New Orleans Saints have waived kicker Charlie Smyth, concluding his run as the team’s primary kicker following the 2026 NFL roster cut deadline on August 30. The 25-year-old Northern Irish athlete, who joined the league through the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, saw his tenure as the incumbent starter end as the team opted for veteran experience.
Smyth assumed the kicking role midway through the 2025 season, appearing in the final six games where he successfully converted 12 of 16 field goal attempts and was perfect on all 13 extra-point tries. Despite that performance, the team entered the 2026 preseason looking to solidify the position, bringing in competition that included former All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson and Tanner Brown.
The competition for the kicking role
The decision to move on from Smyth followed a high-stakes preseason evaluation. While Smyth struggled with consistency, including a missed 52-yard attempt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Daniel Carlson demonstrated the reliability the coaching staff sought. In the final preseason victory against the Dallas Cowboys, Carlson secured his spot by converting two field goals, including a decisive 53-yard kick.
Smyth’s departure is part of the league’s standard roster management process. As an IPP participant, Smyth remains a unique asset for the franchise. Because IPP players do not count against the standard 16-player practice squad limit, the Saints have expressed interest in re-signing him to the practice squad if he clears waivers by the league deadline.
Next steps for the specialist
Smyth now enters a period of uncertainty as teams across the NFL assess their own rosters. Until Monday at 17:00 BST, he is eligible to be claimed by any other franchise looking to bolster their kicking unit. If unclaimed, he becomes a free agent with the option to return to New Orleans’ developmental squad. Reflecting on the competition earlier this month, Smyth maintained a professional outlook, noting that the nature of NFL roster battles is simply the reality of the business.