NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 23: Charlie Smyth #39 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Caesars Superdome on August 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images) ***
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 23: Charlie Smyth #39 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Caesars Superdome on August 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images) ***
NFL franchise New Orleans Saints are poised to sign veteran kicker Daniel Carlson, in a blow to Charlie Smyth's bid to remain as the team's starting kicker for the 2026 season.
The Co Down native, who played in each of the Saints' last six games of the 2025 regular season, signed for the franchise in the summer of 2024 having come through the NFL's International Player Pathway Programme.
Although Smyth's 'IPP status' means he is more likely to be retained, he is in a three-way battle for a starting role alongside Carlson and Tanner Brown.
NFL reporter Mike Garafolo reported the news on Monday in a tweet saying, "The Saints are signing two-time All-Pro Kicker Daniel Carlson, his agents tell me...
"The former Raiders kicker brings experience to New Orleans, which had been holding a competition between Tanner Brown and Charlie Smyth."
31-year-old Carlson has bounced around the league for the last eight years, with a notable stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, and serves as a major opponent to Smyth's starting chances.
Smyth however led the Saints to four wins in his six starts last season, including a 47-yard game-winning field goal against NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers.
The Louisiana franchise suffered a hefty 34-0 defeat to the LA Rams in their second pre-season game last weekend, having previously been defeated 24-20 by the Jacksonville Jaguars a week prior, in which the Down man featured.