Will Charlie Smyth be promoted to starting kicker with the Saints?

November 25, 2025

Charlie Smyth could be set to realise his NFL dream in the not-too-distant future with the New Orleans Saints.

Smyth is one of two active Irish players in the NFL and only began training to play in the league less than two years ago.

Via the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, the Newry native made an instant impression on the Saints and earned a three-year contract with the team last March.

Currently assigned to the practice squad, Smyth has impressed in his pre-season duties and recent developments have created an opening for the 24-year-old.

Saints kicker Blake Grupe missed two field goals against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday as New Orleans fell to 2-9 on the season and patience is wearing thin.

Grupe has made only 69.2% of his field goals this season and missed eight attempts – the most in the NFL this season – leading the Saints to explore the possibility of a change in that department.

Charlie Smyth Kicking Record

Smyth has featured in four pre-season games for the Saints, kicking a total of five field goals.

He has not missed a single one, showcasing balls of steel in his debut last August with a game-winning 37-yard field goal to beat the Arizona Cardinals.

He played in all three pre-season games in 2025, kicking a total of 14 points and going 4/4.

A 50-yarder and an extra point against the Los Angeles Chargers, two field goals including a 40-yarder against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a 52-yarder as well as an extra point against the Denver Broncos.

WATCH: Charlie Smyth’s game-winner against the Cardinals

A year ago Mayobridge’s Charlie Smyth hadn’t kicked an American football.

But on Saturday, the former Down GAA goalkeeper made his debut for the New Orelans Saints in their game at the Arizona Cardinals. Smyth came onto the pitch with just 8 seconds left on the clock and kicked… pic.twitter.com/gipCJMIzY1

— UTV Live News (@UTVNews) August 12, 2024

Will Charlie Smyth be promoted to starting kicker?

The Saints are evaluating all scenarios as it stands but head coach Kellen Moore poured cold water on the prospect of promoting Smyth this season.

When asked about the Mayobridge talent, Moore said: “Charlie is certainly in a developmental role. He’s done a lot of good as he’s gone through this process for a couple of years now in the developmental role.

“It’s something we will have to spend some time and invest some time in. Today’s not going to be the answer to all of that. I think it’s a process that we are just going to have to go through.”

New Orleans are bringing in former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for a tryout alongside young journeyman Cade York.

It’s clear the Saints currently see Smyth as a work in progress and the team isn’t keen to throw him into the deep end too quickly.

That decision could do Smyth the world of good considering the fate of his fellow IPP man Jude McAtamney, recently cut by the New York Giants.

McAtamney’s NFL dream came and went pretty quickly, promoted to the Giants’ active roster in late September and axed around three weeks later.

The Derry-born kicker missed two crucial extra point attempts in a 33-32 loss to the Broncos and an extra point the previous week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Smyth definitely has a future in this league and the Saints certainly know that, eager to give him as much valuable experience as possible before the ultimate test.