# The Kicker’s Crucible: Inside Charlie Smyth’s High-Stakes Battle for the Saints' Starting Role

**By Hank Morrow**  \nPublished August 31, 2026  \nUpdated September 9, 2026

> After a breakout 2025 season, International Player Pathway standout Charlie Smyth finds his position in New Orleans under siege by an All-Pro veteran and a UFL champion.

The atmosphere within the New Orleans Saints' special teams unit has shifted from one of emerging stability to a high-tension battlefield. For Charlie Smyth, the man who transitioned from Gaelic football in County Down to the precision-driven world of the NFL, the luxury of a settled position has evaporated as the 2026 preseason reaches its critical juncture.

Smyth is no longer the wide-eyed newcomer of his first training camp. Having entered his third camp with the franchise, the Northern Ireland native has built a legitimate case for himself. However, the Saints' recent maneuvers suggest they are far from satisfied with a single option at the kicking position.

## The Rapid Ascent of a Specialist

Smyth’s path to the NFL has been anything but conventional. A product of the league's International Player Pathway (IPP) program, he seized his opportunity in November 2025 after the Saints moved on from Blake Grupe. What followed was a six-game stretch that transformed Smyth from a replacement player into a reliable scoring threat.

During those final six games of the 2025 campaign, Smyth demonstrated remarkable composure, converting 12 of 16 field goal attempts and maintaining a perfect record on 13 extra-point attempts. His highlights were not merely statistical; they were momentum-shifting. Most notable was a 47-yard game-winning field goal against NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers with just six seconds remaining on the clock.

His range has also become a defining characteristic. From a 56-yard debut against the Miami Dolphins to a career-long 57-yarder against the Tennessee Titans, Smyth has proven he can punish defenses from distance.

## A Three-Way Battle for Territory

The stability Smyth worked to establish is now being challenged by two distinct archetypes of kicking talent. The Saints are currently navigating a complex roster equation that pits Smyth’s rising momentum against veteran experience and specialized pedigree.

- **The Veteran Presence: Daniel Carlson.** The potential signing of the 31-year-old Carlson represents the most significant threat to Smyth’s status. A two-time All-Pro with an eight-year tenure in the league—including a prominent stint with the Las Vegas Raiders—Carlson brings a level of proven reliability that few can match.
- **The Specialist Challenger: Tanner Brown.** Adding another layer of difficulty is Tanner Brown, a UFL championship winner with the Louisville Kings. Brown enters the fray as the reigning UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, bringing a specific brand of long-range lethality that has already been on display, with three kicks over 50 yards recorded during recent training camp sessions.This creates a volatile dynamic: Smyth is caught between the established excellence of an All-Pro and the surging momentum of a championship-winning specialist.

### The IPP Factor

While the competition is fierce, Smyth possesses a unique layer of organizational consideration. His status as an International Player Pathway player means he is traditionally more likely to be retained by the franchise, providing a slight buffer that pure domestic signings might not enjoy. However, in the NFL, roster logic often yields to pure performance, especially when the alternatives are as formidable as Carlson and Brown.

## Mentality and the "Perceived" Pressure

To survive this environment, Smyth is leaning on a psychological framework he developed through unconventional mentorship. During the off-season, he spent time with Irish golfing star Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic. The two discussed the granular similarities between their disciplines, from weight transfer to the mental preparation required before a high-stakes shot.

> "There are a lot of similarities between kicking and golf. From weight transfer to ball contact, hitting a draw or fade. We talked about the mentality of what he's thinking pre-shot, what I'm thinking pre-kick and we mashed it up," Smyth noted.

This focus on process over outcome appears to be his primary defense against the volatility of the job. Smyth has been vocal about his refusal to let the pressure of the NFL become a physical hindrance. When you talk about pressure, it’s just perceived, it’s not the real thing, he explained, noting that tension often prevents a player from accessing their best version.

Whether he can maintain that mental clarity through the preseason clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 15th and into the regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions on September 13th will determine if he remains the Saints' designated specialist or becomes a footnote in their kicking history.

### Evidence-Led Forecast

**Tactical Pattern:** Expect the Saints' coaching staff to prioritize long-range accuracy during the remaining preseason games. With both Brown and Smyth showing range, the decision will likely hinge on consistency from 50+ yards.

**Decisive Matchup:** The battle of "Reliability vs. Ceiling." Carlson offers a high-floor, veteran presence, while Smyth and Brown represent higher-upside developmental plays. The Saints' decision will likely be driven by how much they value immediate veteran stability versus the potential of their younger assets.

**Strongest Counter-Case:** Smyth’s IPP status and existing rapport with the special teams coordinator serve as his strongest shield against being marginalized by the incoming talent.

**The Pivot Point:** If the Saints finalize the signing of Daniel Carlson, the competition shifts from a three-way battle for the starting job to a fight for the backup role, significantly increasing the pressure on Smyth to prove his value as a specialist who can handle game-winning scenarios.

## Sources

- [bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/articles/c0m7kl42grlo) — original
- [nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/charlie-smyth/) — original
- [irishtimes.com](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/08/06/former-down-footballer-charlie-smyth-happy-to-fight-for-his-place-with-new-orleans-saints/) — original
- [rte.ie](https://www.rte.ie/sport/us-sport/2026/0824/1589047-blow-for-smyth-as-new-orleans-set-to-sign-kicker-carlson/) — original