The New Orleans Saints have experienced significant turnover across their roster since the start of the season. That’s usually what happens when a team is rebuilding, and some players need to be moved on for the team’s potential.
We saw that the Saints traded away WR Rashid Shaheed and released WR Brandin Cooks, but another move was for a different reason. When the Saints moved on from kicker Blake Grupe, it was due to his kicking woes and how much they were hurting the team’s success. This resulted in Charlie Smyth being elevated as the team’s kicker.
There have been some excellent performances since the move, and it seems the Saints value him enough to offer him a new contract.
Saints Make the Expected Move With Their Kicker
Every week since becoming the starter, New Orleans has elevated Smyth from the practice squad. He was yet to sign to the 53-man roster, but that has changed, and it looks like the Saints have found a long-term starting kicker.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared the news on social media earlier this morning. “Saints kicker Charlie Smyth, a former Gaelic football player from Ireland who made his NFL debut last month, now has signed a three-year contract with New Orleans, per his agent Paul Sheehy,” he tweeted.
Saints kicker Charlie Smyth, a former Gaelic football player from Ireland who made his NFL debut last month, now has signed a three-year contract with New Orleans, per his agent Paul Sheehy. pic.twitter.com/FfKJpILJYm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2025
Why the Saints Signed Smyth to a Long-Term Contract
In his first start with the Saints, Smyth made a long 56-yard field goal and had an impressive successful onside kick. This was his first performance, and it was a great start, but his second game, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was not as good. The weather really affected the young kicker, but the coaching staff had trust in him to bounce back, and that is precisely what happened in Week 15.
The Saints were in a challenging game against the Carolina Panthers, and after coming back from a 17-7 deficit, all the pressure in the world was on Smyth. Nobody cares about a comeback if it’s incomplete, but Smyth walked on that field, nailed a 47-yard field goal, and won the game for New Orleans.
Comparing this type of play to what the Saints have had to deal with since kicker Will Lutz was traded to the Denver Broncos, Smyth is a breath of fresh air. Consistency will be something to watch for the rest of the season, but clearly, by signing Smyth to a three-year contract, the team believes he can deliver.
