Saints Sign Two-Time All-Pro Daniel Carlson After Preseason Kicking Struggles

New Orleans is signing veteran kicker Daniel Carlson following a preseason where Tanner Brown went 2-for-3 and Charlie Smyth missed his only attempt.

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints are signing free agent kicker Daniel Carlson to the roster, as confirmed by agents to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. This acquisition follows a month-long competition between Tanner Brown and Charlie Smyth that failed to produce a clear starter. Carlson joins the organization as a two-time All-Pro selection, having earned those honors during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

During the current preseason, the kicking battle saw inconsistent results from both incumbents. Brown, who joined the team in June after a stint with the Louisville Kings in the UFL, converted two of his three field goal attempts in exhibition play. Smyth, an International Player Pathway participant who has occupied an additional practice squad spot since 2024, missed his only field goal attempt during the preseason. The struggles extended to practice sessions, where Smyth recorded two separate days featuring three missed kicks each.

Carlson's Career Statistics and Recent Performance

Carlson entered the NFL as a 2018 fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings before moving to the Las Vegas Raiders midseason that same year. He remained with the Raiders through 2025 but was not re-signed following a season where his field goal accuracy dropped to 81.5%. That mark represented his lowest conversion rate since the 2019 campaign.

Specific struggles during his final year in Las Vegas included a missed point-after touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The following week, Carlson missed a potential game-tying field goal attempt in a matchup against the Denver Broncos. Despite these recent setbacks, his resume includes two elite seasons at the start of the decade which the Saints hope to replicate in New Orleans.

The Departure of Previous Kicking Options

The vacancy in the Saints' kicking room opened after the team moved on from Blake Grupe last season. Charlie Smyth took over following Grupe's release and appeared in six games during the previous year. In that limited action, Smyth successfully converted 12 of his 16 field goal attempts.

Katherine Terrell, who has covered the NFL since 2013 and joined ESPN's Saints coverage in 2022, reported the transaction on August 24, 2026. The decision to pivot to Carlson indicates the front office was unsatisfied with the lack of consistency shown by Brown and Smyth throughout the summer training camp.

Roster Transition and Special Teams Outlook

By adding Carlson, the Saints are prioritizing veteran experience over the developmental path of Smyth. Smyth’s history with the team included serving as a practice squad player for two years before his six-game stint last season. Brown’s brief tenure ends after he was brought in to provide competition following his time in the UFL.

The Saints now move forward with a specialist who has seven years of experience in the league. Carlson’s transition to New Orleans marks his third NFL team since being drafted out of college. The team has not yet announced corresponding roster moves regarding the status of Brown or Smyth following the news of Carlson's agreement.