New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore has confirmed that Charlie Smyth will retain his starting spot as kicker for their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend.
The 24-year-old made his NFL debut Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, kicking a 56-yard field goal and completing an onside kick in the 21-17 loss.
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After waiving Blake Grupe in preparation for the game against the Dolphins, the Saints signed Cade York, but opted to keep the NFL’s most experienced kicker on their practice squad once again for Smyth.
“We’ll go with Charlie,” Moore said when asked who would kick Sunday.
“Charlie will be ready to go. He did a great job last week and we’re in a good developmental phase with those two guys.”
The Mayobridge native, who was part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, originally signed for the Saints in March 2024 and participated in the pre-season in August before his debut in Florida last weekend.
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Coach Moore described Smyth’s first points in the NFL as “phenomenal”, adding that the former Down GAA keeper had “earned this opportunity”.
“He prepared really well. We have a lot of confidence in him. He obviously has the leg to make big kicks,” Moore said after the Dolphins’ loss.
“It was a tough situation, but it was a situation we needed to score points and he broke through it, and it was a phenomenal kick from him.”
