Saints Sign All-Pro Kicker Daniel Carlson to Challenge Charlie Smyth

As the New Orleans Saints fine-tune their roster ahead of the 2026 regular season, the battle for the kicking job has intensified. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Saints have signed two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson to compete with incumbent Charlie Smyth for the starting role. The move, confirmed on August 25, 2026, comes after both kickers struggled during preseason action, raising the stakes for the team's final exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend.

A Kicker Controversy Brewing in New Orleans

Charlie Smyth, a former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, entered training camp as the favorite after assuming the starting job from Blake Grupe in November and delivering a solid performance. The 25-year-old converted 12 of 16 field goals and was perfect on 13 extra-point attempts. However, a 52-yard miss in the Saints' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 16 exposed his inconsistency. Meanwhile, Tanner Brown, signed in June from the Louisville Kings of the UFL, missed a 39-yard attempt in Saturday's defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, prompting head coach Kellen Moore's front office to seek a more proven option.

Daniel Carlson brings a wealth of experience to the Big Easy. Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Carlson was waived during his rookie season and claimed by the then-Oakland Raiders. He has since become one of the league's most reliable legs, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and first-team All-Pro in 2022. Over the past seven seasons, Carlson has not missed a single game, though his 81.5% field goal success rate last year was his lowest since 2019. At 31, he offers both stability and a competitive edge that could push Smyth to elevate his game.

"Competition for places in the NFL is just the way it is in this business," Smyth told BBC NI earlier this month, adding that he wouldn't take the signing personally. "You have to embrace it and focus on what you can control."

For the Saints, this signing signals a win-now mentality as they prepare for a challenging 2026 schedule, opening at the Detroit Lions on September 13. With Carlson's proven track record and Smyth's untapped potential, the team is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for special teams excellence. As Vulius NFL Analysis Desk noted, the competition will be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch in the final week of preseason.

Whether Smyth can retain his job or Carlson takes over, the Saints are ensuring they have the best possible option to secure crucial points in tight divisional battles. Fans can catch the decisive audition this weekend when New Orleans hosts Dallas, a game that could very well determine the Week 1 starter.