Charlie Smyth in line to make his NFL regular season debut for the New Orleans Saints
Following the New Orleans Saints decision to release starting kicker Blake Grupe, Mayobridge’s Charlie Smyth could be in line to make his NFL debut this weekend.
Smyth, who kicked in the pre season for the Saints in both 2024 and this year, has yet to make a regular season appearance since signing with New Orleans via the International Player Pathway (IPP) Programme in March 2024.
However, the Saints lost confidence in their starting kicker Grupe, as he missed nine field goals this season, and they made the decision to explore other options this week. Smyth, who has been on the team’s practice squad in each of the last two seasons, isn’t guaranteed a spot however, as the Saints also signed free agent kicker Cade York to compete with Smyth in training.
Smyth and York have both been trying out for the starting spot this week, and per Pro Football Ireland, Saints Special Teams Coordinator Phil Galiano said: “They both kicked the ball really well and made making a decision very difficult.”
Smyth famously kicked a game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in his pre season debut in 2024, and had a perfect record on kicks in this past summer’s pre season, making all four of his field goal attempts.
The Saints take on the Miami Dolphins at 6pm Irish time on Sunday, and the decision on whether or not Smyth will be making his NFL debut will be made by Saturday evening.