Saints Sign Daniel Carlson to Compete With Charlie Smyth

The New Orleans Saints have signed veteran kicker Daniel Carlson, adding a two-time All-Pro to the competition for the team's starting job. BBC Sport reported the move on Tuesday, with Carlson joining Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown before New Orleans' final preseason game. The signing gives the Saints another option after both of their existing kickers missed attempts during the preseason.

Watch the highlights:

Smyth entered the preseason as the incumbent after taking over from Blake Grupe in November. The 25-year-old former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland converted 12 of 16 field-goal attempts as a starter last season. He also made all 13 of his extra-point attempts, establishing himself in the role before the Saints added further competition this summer.

New Orleans signed Brown in June after his spell with the Louisville Kings of the United Football League. Brown missed a 39-yard attempt during the Saints' preseason defeat by the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. One week earlier, Smyth had missed from 52 yards in the team's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Those results preceded the move for Carlson as coach Kellen Moore's team continued assessing its kicking options.

Carlson, 31, entered the NFL as a Minnesota Vikings draft pick in 2018 but was waived during his rookie season. He then joined the franchise then known as the Oakland Raiders. His strongest individual recognition came in consecutive seasons: he was named a second-team All-Pro in 2021 and a first-team All-Pro in 2022.

The veteran has appeared in every game across the past seven seasons, according to BBC Sport. His field-goal conversion rate last season was 81.5%, his lowest mark since 2019. Carlson's arrival does not by itself settle the Saints' choice, but it increases the competition Smyth has faced since moving into the starting position late last season.

Smyth told BBC Northern Ireland earlier this month that competition for roster places is part of life in the NFL and said he would not take new signings personally. The Saints host the Dallas Cowboys in their final preseason game this weekend. Their 2026 regular season is scheduled to begin away to the Detroit Lions on September 13.