Canal Street Chronicles
Grupe and Smyth continue the kicking competition.
The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 Training Camp with another kicking battle on deck. Blake Grupe vs. Charlie Smyth: Part II has been both entertaining and informative for fans and staff to watch unfold through practices thus far.
After trading away Wil Lutz to the Denver Broncos ahead of the 2023 regular season, the Saints turned to Grupe as their starting kicker. He would finish that year with a shaky 81.1% conversion rate after going 30-37 on field goal attempts. Even with a perfect mark of 40-40 in the extra point category, New Orleans felt it was necessary to bring in someone to challenge Grupe during 2024’s training camp and put some pressure on the young specialist.
Insert Charlie Smyth.
Smyth made his way to the Saints by way of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. The Ireland native grew up playing Gaelic football and translated his skillset into signing with the franchise for last year’s practices. Although Grupe would ultimately be tabbed as starting kicker for New Orleans in 2024, Smyth had strong performances throughout training camp and preseason including a game-winning field goal versus the Arizona Cardinals. His efforts earned him a spot on the Saints’ practice squad.
Fast forward one year and the same two players are once again learning from one another while displaying their abilities to coaches and staffers ahead of the 2025 season. Grupe had an improved season in 2024 with an 87.1 FG%- a full six-point jump. He seems to be settling into the league now and has actually outshined Smyth through the early part of training camp.
Although deeper kicks are still a concern, Grupe has made his consistency a focal point and fans will soon see the dividends as the Saints reap the benefits.
What are your thoughts on the kicking battle in New Orleans? Are you rooting for one player or another? Let us know in the comments below!
