Saints Promote Charlie Smyth to Active Roster Following a Heartbreaking Announcement
The New Orleans Saints have elevated Irish-born kicker Charlie Smyth from the practice squad to their active roster ahead of Week 13, setting him up to make his NFL regular-season debut on Sunday.
Smyth — who joined the Saints in March 2024 via the International Player Pathway Program (IPP) — beat out fellow practice-squad kicker Cade York in a competition triggered by the recent release of their previous kicker, Blake Grupe. Grupe was let go after missing two field goals in last Sunday’s game.
From Gaelic Football to the NFL
Smyth — a native of Newry, Northern Ireland — first came to prominence as a goalkeeper in Gaelic football. Before switching sports, he played for the county team Down GAA, winning the Ulster Under-20 Championship, and later made his senior debut in 2023.
His path to the NFL began when he applied to the league as an 18-year-old, seeking a tryout — a bold move that paid off. At the IPP pro day, he reportedly drilled long field goals (even from 60+ yards), earning a contract with the Saints on 29 March 2024.
Though he didn’t make the 53-man roster out of training camp, he stuck around on the practice squad through 2024 and into 2025.
Meanwhile, in preseason action, he showed poise — notably kicking a game-winning 37-yard field goal in his first NFL game during the 2024 preseason against the Arizona Cardinals.
What This Means for New Orleans
By activating Smyth, the Saints are signaling renewed confidence in his kicking leg over 2025’s earlier options. With Grupe released, Smyth now assumes primary place-kicking and kickoff duties.
This move also makes Smyth the team’s first Irish-born NFL kicker — a rare accomplishment and an interesting example of the IPP program bridging international sports and the NFL.
It remains to be seen how he will adapt under regular-season pressure. But after weeks of competition — including facing off against York — Smyth has earned his shot.
What to Watch
Performance under pressure: Smyth has shown promise in preseason and workouts, but regular-season games are a different beast. His debut this Sunday will be telling.
Consistency: The Saints need a reliable kicker after recent misses — Smyth’s long-range power and accuracy under pressure will be under scrutiny.
Roster implications:** If Smyth performs well, this could mark a turning point for the Saints’ kicking game — and potentially make York a long-term backup or free-agent candidate.