It’s official: Charlie Smyth will make his NFL debut for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday
Mayobridge’s Charlie Smyth will make his NFL debut for the New Orleans Saints tomorrow, it has been confirmed.
Smyth, who has spent the last season and a half on the practice squad, will now get the chance to showcase his ability, having been promoted to the active roster this evening.
The 24-year-old Down inter-county goalkeeper has been continuing to progress behind the scenes having been signed by the Saints as part of the International Player Pathway (IPP) Programme in March 2024.
The Saints elected to move on from starting kicker Blake Grupe earlier this week, and having brought in free agent Cade York to compete with Smyth for the job, it was Smyth who impressed the coaches.
He has already shown what he can do in limited opportunities in the NFL Pre Season, having kicked a game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, before converting all four of his field goal tries in 2025.
The New Orleans Saints have struggled this season, winning just two of their 11 games, but with six games left, Smyth now has a golden chance to potentially secure his spot as the team’s starting kicker going forward.
The play the Miami Dolphins at 6pm Irish time tomorrow (Sunday), in a game which is sure to be keenly followed in Mayobridge and all around the Newry area.