The New Orleans Saints have brought in two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson to challenge Charlie Smyth for the team's starting kicker role. Smyth, a 25-year-old former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge, Northern Ireland, was the incumbent coming into pre-season.
Smyth took over the starting position from Blake Grupe in November last season, successfully converting 12 of 16 field goals and all 13 of his extra-point attempts. However, he missed a 52-yard attempt in a recent pre-season loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Carlson, 31, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and later joined the Oakland Raiders. He achieved All-Pro honours in 2021 and 2022. While he has not missed a game in the past seven seasons, his 81.5% field goal success rate last year was his lowest since 2019.
Smyth, who signed a three-year contract last season, reportedly stated this month that competition in the NFL is "just the way it is in this business" and that he would not take such signings "personally."