Kicker Smyth waived by New Orleans Saints

Kicker Charlie Smyth has been waived by the New Orleans Saints before the new NFL season.

Smyth, a former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, was the incumbent coming into pre-season having assumed the role from Blake Grupe in November.

The 25-year-old made 12 of 16 field goals and was successful on each of his 13 extra-point attempts as a starter last season.

But, after a mixed pre-season for Smyth and increased competition on the Saints’ kicking roster, two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson appears to have been given the nod.

In the Saints’ final pre-season match against the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, Smyth kicked one extra point but Carlson landed two field goals, including the winning points from 53 yards in the 27-24 victory.

Despite the blow, it does not mean that Smyth’s NFL journey has come to an end.

As he came through the NFL’s international player pathway (IPP), he could be retained on the Saints’ practice roster as IPP players do not count towards the 16-player limit.

He could also become an option for another NFL team if they feel that Smyth could add to their roster.

Teams have until Monday at 17:00 BST to sign released players to their rosters, and from there teams can begin to sign players to their practice squads.

After a fairytale rise to the NFL last year, Smyth was in competition with Carlson and former Louisville Kings kicker Tanner Brown in the off-season as the Saints assessed their kicking options.

Signed to a three-year contract last season, Smyth told BBC NI this month that competition for places in the NFL is “just the way it is in this business” and that he would not be taking any such signings “personally”.

Carlson appears to have beaten off competition from Smyth and Tanner Brown, who missed a 39-yard field goal attempt in the pre-season loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Smyth was also off target from 52 yards in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars the previous week.

Carlson, who joined the Saints after those pre-season matches, had his best years in 2021 and 2022, when he was named second-team All-Pro and first-team All-Pro respectively.

He has not missed a game in the past seven seasons but his 81.5% success rate from field goals last year was his lowest since 2019.

The Saints begin their regular season away to the Detroit Lions on 13 September.