The New Orleans Saints have moved to bolster their kicking competition by signing two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson, who will vie with Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown for the team's starting position ahead of the 2026 regular season.
Smyth, a 25-year-old former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, held the incumbent role coming into pre-season after taking over from Blake Grupe in November 2025. According to reporting on the signing, Smyth had arrived at the Saints through the International Player Pathway program and had been with the organisation as an extra practice-squad player since 2024.
Last season as a starter, Smyth made 12 of 16 field goal attempts and was successful on all 13 extra-point tries. However, his pre-season performance has been inconsistent. He missed from 52 yards in the Saints' defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars a week before the Carlson signing was announced.
How did the kicking competition develop?
The Saints had already been holding a kicking competition between Smyth and Tanner Brown before Carlson entered the picture. In June, the team signed Brown, a 26-year-old previously with the Louisville Kings in the United Football League, to challenge Smyth. Brown missed a 39-yard field goal attempt in the side's pre-season loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. According to reporting at the time, the Saints had not found a clear winner from about a month of competition between the two before deciding to add Carlson to the mix.
Who is Daniel Carlson?
Carlson, 31, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 but was waived during his rookie season and subsequently picked up by the then Oakland Raiders. According to official records, he is a two-time All-Pro, earning first-team honours in 2022 and second-team honours in 2021.
Carlson's best years came in 2021 and 2022, when he earned those All-Pro selections. He has not missed a game in the past seven seasons, demonstrating remarkable durability. However, his 81.5% success rate from field goals last year was his lowest since 2019, suggesting some decline in performance.
How has Smyth responded to competition?
Smyth told a national broadcaster this month that competition for places in the NFL is
just the way it is in this businessand that he would not be taking any such signings
personally. His professionalism in the face of mounting competition reflects the reality of professional football, where roster decisions are made based on performance and potential rather than loyalty.
Smyth's journey from Mayobridge to the NFL has already been remarkable, and his earlier reflections on settling into life as the Saints' kicker highlighted his growing profile in fantasy football and video games, as well as a memorable meeting with Open champion Shane Lowry.
What happens next?
The Saints' final pre-season game is against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. Following that contest, the team will need to make a final decision on their kicking position before the 2026 regular season begins away to the Detroit Lions on 13 September. The competition between Smyth, Brown, and Carlson will likely be resolved during the remaining pre-season action and roster cutdowns.
Key Facts
- Daniel Carlson was signed on 24 August 2026 to compete for the Saints' kicking role alongside Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown
- Smyth made 12 of 16 field goals and all 13 extra-point attempts as a starter last season before missing a 52-yard attempt in pre-season
- Carlson earned All-Pro honours in both 2021 (second-team) and 2022 (first-team) and has not missed a game in seven seasons
- The Saints will make their final kicking decision before the regular-season opener on 13 September against Detroit
