Saints Debutant Charlie Smyth Delivers Big Kick in NFL Debut
Irish kicker Charlie Smyth shines in his NFL bow for the New Orleans Saints, drilling a 56-yard field goal and an onside kick in a narrow loss to the Miami Dolphins.
New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth made his NFL bow in a 21-17 defeat to the Miami Dolphins, delivering a memorable moment late in the game. The 24-year-old nailed a 56-yard field goal for his first NFL points and followed it up with a precise onside kick in front of family who traveled to Florida to watch him.
Smyth was promoted to the Saints' active roster after the team released Blake Grupe following a rough outing against the Atlanta Falcons. He had previously appeared in preseason action, kicking two field goals in a 17-17 tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars in August. The Ireland-born kicker admitted he was unsure if he would get a chance to kick for points until late in the game.
“You wait all game and, with the way the game was going, we needed two two-point conversions if we scored a touchdown. Ultimately, you have to stay ready, and then they kicked a field goal to push the lead to 11, so we knew we might need one.”
‘Phenomenal’ – Saints coach Moore on Smyth kick
After waiving Grupe, the Saints added veteran kicker Cade York to their practice squad. Smyth, a participant in the NFL’s international player pathway program, earned his first regular-season assignment and impressed head coach Kellen Moore with his debut.
“Charlie kicked really well. A big-time field goal. The onside kick was really well-kicked. Phenomenal kick there and put us in a position to have a chance at the end,” Moore said after the defeat.
Smyth signed his first contract with the Saints in March 2024 and has waited for his opportunity to play in a regular-season game. “Charlie has earned this chance. We have a lot of confidence in him. He’s worked for years and prepared himself really well,” Moore added, noting Smyth’s leg strength for big kicks.
Smyth is hopeful this is the start of something special in New Orleans. “It took a long time, but I feel ready. The coaches know what they’re doing, and I’m excited to be part of this team,” he explained.
Expert analysis: Smyth’s early success demonstrates the value of the international pathway, and his strong leg could earn more chances as the Saints move forward. If he continues delivering under pressure, he could secure a longer role with the club.
Short summary: Smyth’s NFL debut featured a 56-yard field goal and a confident onside kick, marking a promising start for the Saints. The club’s faith in him is backed by his preseason form and his pathway background. If he maintains this level, Smyth may become a regular contributor in the years ahead.
Key insight: The NFL’s international player pathway can deliver immediate impact, as Charlie Smyth showed with a long field goal and a clutch onside kick in his first game. Source: BBC Sport.