News: Smyth to return as starting Saints kicker on Sunday

Smyth to Return as Starting Saints Kicker on Sunday

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore has confirmed that Charlie Smyth will start at kicker against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, marking a significant turnaround for the former Gaelic football player from County Down. The decision comes after the Saints terminated the contract of veteran kicker Daniel Carlson earlier this week following a run of inconsistent performances. Carlson, 31, had connected on just 66% of his field goal attempts this season, a figure that ultimately prompted the coaching staff to make a change. Speaking at Wednesday’s news briefing, Moore acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while expressing confidence in Smyth’s readiness. “Charlie will kick this week,” Moore confirmed. “Daniel has made some really big kicks for us,  it’s just the consistency thing. I just felt this is the best decision for our football team going forward. These things are never easy, but Charlie has done this for us at the backend of last year, so he will be ready to go.”

Smyth, 25, initially joined the Saints as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program and made his historic debut last November. During his stint as the starting kicker last season, he converted 12 of 16 field goal attempts and was perfect on all 13 extra point attempts. However, a mixed preseason performance saw him relegated to the practice squad after Carlson was chosen as the starter ahead of the current campaign.

The Mayobridge native has remained patient and focused during his time on the practice squad, a quality that Moore highlighted when discussing the transition. “When guys aren’t playing these games, not everyone gets to see all the work they do during the week,” Moore said. “They still have a plan. Charlie has a plan going into every week for how he is going to get better. The guys who don’t play on Sunday still have a plan to develop and get better, then opportunities like this present themselves and they are ready.”

Smyth’s journey to the NFL has been anything but conventional. A former Gaelic footballer who played for Down at underage level, he made the switch to American football relatively recently, earning a contract with the Saints through the international pathway program. His athleticism and strong leg have long been viewed as promising raw tools, and Sunday represents another opportunity to prove he belongs at the professional level. The Saints, currently struggling with just two wins from seven games, will be hoping Smyth can provide stability to a special teams unit that has been a weak point this season. With no additional kickers brought into the squad, the coaching staff is clearly placing their trust in the young Irishman.  For Smyth, the opportunity is clear: perform consistently and claim the job for the remainder of the season. The Caesars Superdome will play host to his return to the starting lineup, and the Saints faithful will be watching closely to see whether the former Gaelic football star can translate his practice squad progress into reliable production on game day.