Saints Move On From Grupe — Bring in York, Close the Book on Kicker Saga
In a decisive shake-up at kicker for New Orleans Saints, the team officially released Blake Grupe on Tuesday, and added Cade York to the practice squad, sources confirmed.
The move comes after a demoralizing Week 12 showing and reflects growing frustration within the organization about lack of consistency from the kicking unit.
Grupe’s struggles cost him the job
Grupe, who had served as the Saints’ primary kicker since 2023, went just 18-for-26 on field-goal attempts this season — a 69.2% conversion rate.
That mark ranks among the worst in the league this year for kickers with significant attempts.
The tipping point came in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, when Grupe missed two crucial field goals (from 38 and 47 yards).
“For us, this had to be a full evaluation,” head coach Kellen Moore said after the game when asked about the kicking woes. According to reports, the Falcons game sealed the decision to move on.
Though Grupe had shown flashes of reliability — notably drilling field goals at a solid clip in previous seasons — the regression in 2025 proved too much. On social media, Grupe expressed his gratitude: “Thank you New Orleans ❤️ … Nobody wanted it to work more than me.” Yet in a league where margins are thin, goodwill can only carry a kicker so far.
Enter Cade York — and a clean slate
With Grupe gone, the Saints opted to sign Cade York to their practice squad — choosing him over veteran Justin Tucker, who also tried out on Tuesday. ([SI][5]) York, a former standout at LSU, previously spent time in the NFL with several teams.
While he isn’t guaranteed a starting role yet, the move signals that the Saints will likely turn to York for kicking duties going forward — perhaps even as soon as Week 13.
Bigger Picture — Saints attempt reset at special teams
The kicking carousel is part of a broader recalibration for the Saints in what has been a trying 2025 season. After trading away veteran kicker Wil Lutz in 2023, New Orleans entrusted the job to Grupe — and now, less than two years later, find themselves searching again for stability in the kicking game.
By adding York to the practice squad (rather than immediately promoting him to the active roster), the Saints maintain roster flexibility while giving themselves a chance to evaluate — and potentially reinvest — in a kicking solution for the rest of the season.
For Grupe, a young kicker with three seasons in New Orleans, the door remains open. As he put it: “Can’t wait for my next opportunity to prove what I can do.” Whether that opportunity comes elsewhere, or in some surprising twist down the line, remains to be seen.