Now entering his third pre-season training camp with the New Orleans Saints, Charlie Smyth no longer considers himself a rookie. The County Down native, who joined the team through the NFL’s International Player Pathway, stepped into a starting role last November against the Miami Dolphins. After signing a three-year contract, he successfully converted 12 of 16 field goals and all 13 extra-point attempts during the final six games of the season.
Smyth notes that the familiarity of the team environment and consistent coaching from his special teams coordinator have bolstered his confidence. While he is adjusting to his rising profile—including his appearance in the Madden video game and mentions in fantasy football—he remains focused on his performance. During the off-season, Smyth connected with Irish golfer Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic. The two discussed the technical and mental parallels between golf and place-kicking, such as ball contact and pre-shot routines.
Currently, Smyth faces competition for his spot from Tanner Brown, who joined the roster after winning a UFL championship. Smyth views this challenge as a standard aspect of professional sports, emphasizing that he intends to focus on his own execution rather than taking the competition personally.
