Full Breakdown
Saints Sign Veteran Kicker Daniel Carlson Amid Ongoing Kicker Competition
8/24/2026, 7:56:38 PM
Core Event: Saints Add Two-Time All-Pro Daniel Carlson
The New Orleans Saints announced the signing of free-agent place-kicker Daniel Carlson. Carlson, a 31-year-old who earned All-Pro honors in 2021 (second-team) and 2022 (first-team), joins the existing competition between Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown for the team’s starting kicking role.
Background & Context: Recent Kicker Battle
During training camp the Saints evaluated Smyth and Brown but did not identify a clear frontrunner. Smyth, a product of the International Player Pathway program, entered the offseason after replacing Blake Grupe in 2025. Brown, signed in June after a strong spring in the United Football League, also failed to demonstrate consistent performance in camp. The prolonged competition prompted the late-season addition of a veteran presence.
Data & Statistics
| Player | Recent Field-Goal Performance | Extra-Point (PAT) Success |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Carlson | 22-of-27 (81.5 %) in 2025; 34-of-37 (91.9 %) in 2022 (including 11 from >=50 yd) | 21-of-22 (95.5 %) in 2025 |
| Charlie Smyth | 12-of-16 (75 %) in six games of 2025; 4 makes from >=50 yd | — |
| Tanner Brown | 2-for-3 in preseason games; missed a 39-yd attempt vs. Los Angeles Rams | — |
Career-long conversion rates for Carlson differ across reports: one source lists an 86.9 % field-goal conversion rate, while another cites 87 % overall. Both agree that his extra-point success rate exceeds 95 %.
Official Statements & Responses
Agents for Carlson told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport that the Saints signed the veteran kicker, describing the move as a “significant late addition” to the special-teams unit. The signing was reported by multiple outlets, confirming that the Saints intend to integrate Carlson into the existing kicker room, which already includes Smyth and Brown.
Timeline
- Late August 2026 – Saints announce signing of Daniel Carlson (exact date not disclosed).
- August 22, 2026 – Charlie Smyth warms up before the Saints’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Why It Matters / Impact
Carlson’s eight-year NFL experience and two All-Pro selections give the Saints a proven veteran option at a position that has lacked long-term stability. Analysts suggest that his late signing gives him an “inside track” for the Week 1 job, potentially forcing the team to release either Smyth or Brown to meet the 90-man roster limit. The move also signals the Saints’ willingness to prioritize experience over younger, unproven talent in the special-teams unit.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Career Field-Goal Percentage – One source reports an 86.9 % career conversion rate for Carlson; another lists 87 %. Both figures are close but not identical.
- 2022 Season Detail – Some outlets highlight Carlson’s 34-of-37 field-goal conversion in 2022 as his best season, while others simply note his All-Pro honors without specifying the exact conversion total.
No further substantive discrepancies were identified among the sources.
