Northern Irish kicker Charlie Smyth has been released by the New Orleans Saints as the franchise moves forward with two-time All-Pro Daniel Carlson as its primary placekicker ahead of the 2026 regular season.
Smyth, a 25-year-old former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, held the starting role coming into pre-season after taking over from Blake Grupe in November of the previous year. During his inaugural full season as a starter, he converted 12 of 16 field goal attempts and made all 13 of his extra-point tries. However, Smyth was waived on 30 August following a competitive pre-season battle and inconsistent performance in exhibition matches.
The competition intensified when the Saints signed Carlson on 24 August to challenge for the kicking position. In the Saints' final pre-season contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, Smyth made one extra point while Carlson demonstrated his credentials by landing two field goals, including a 53-yard game-winner in a 27-24 victory.
What does the waiver mean for Smyth's future?
The release does not necessarily signal the end of Smyth's time in professional American football. Because he entered the league through the NFL's International Player Pathway programme, Smyth could be retained on the Saints' practice roster with a roster exemption, as IPP players do not count toward the standard 16-player practice squad limit. This provision allows the franchise to maintain access to his services without consuming a standard roster spot.
Alternatively, other NFL teams have until Monday at 17:00 BST to claim Smyth off waivers and add him directly to their active rosters. If no team exercises that option, he would become available for practice squad signings once the waiver period concludes, potentially opening opportunities across the league.
How did the competition develop?
Smyth's path to the waiver wire followed a period of intense roster evaluation by the Saints. After signing a three-year contract the previous season, he entered the off-season facing competition from both Carlson and former Louisville kicker Tanner Brown. In pre-season action, Smyth struggled with accuracy, missing a 52-yard attempt in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and failing to deliver consistently when opportunities arose.
Brown also faltered during the evaluation period, missing a 39-yard field goal attempt in a pre-season loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Carlson, by contrast, impressed the coaching staff with his performance in limited pre-season action before being named the starter.
When asked about the competitive environment in professional football earlier in August, Smyth told a national broadcaster that competition for places in the NFL is
just the way it is in this businessand that he would not be taking such roster decisions
personally.
What is Carlson's track record?
Carlson brings significant pedigree to the Saints' kicking position. The veteran was named second-team All-Pro in 2021 and first-team All-Pro in 2022, establishing himself as one of the league's most reliable placekickers. He has maintained an impressive streak of not missing a game over the past seven seasons, demonstrating durability and consistency at the position.
However, Carlson's performance metrics declined slightly in the most recent season, with an 81.5% success rate on field goal attempts—his lowest conversion percentage since 2019. Despite this dip, the Saints evidently viewed his proven track record and experience as preferable to Smyth's inconsistent pre-season showing.
What happens next?
The Saints will begin their 2026 regular season on 13 September with an away fixture against the Detroit Lions. Carlson is expected to handle kicking duties for the franchise, though the post-cutdown roster process may still involve adjustments to the practice squad and potential claims on released players. The outcome of the waiver period and subsequent practice squad signings will determine whether Smyth remains with New Orleans or pursues opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Key Facts:
- Charlie Smyth was waived by the New Orleans Saints on 30 August after losing a three-way kicking competition
- Daniel Carlson, a two-time All-Pro kicker, was signed on 24 August and ultimately won the starting job
- As an International Player Pathway participant, Smyth can be retained on the Saints' practice roster without using a standard roster exemption
- Smyth completed 12 of 16 field goals and 13 of 13 extra points during his first full season as a starter in 2025
- The Saints open their regular season at Detroit on 13 September
