Canal Street Chronicles
This week, the New Orleans Saints will head into enemy territory to face the rival Atlanta Falcons for the 2025 NFL season finale.
The player to watch has had a rough rookie season and needs a very strong performance if he plans on returning in 2026: P Kai Kroeger.
The 23-year-old UDFA out of South Carolina hasn’t necessarily put together an ideal rookie season and had another poor outing on Sunday in Tennessee, so it’s important he has a strong game on Sunday if he even wants a chance of wearing the Black and Gold next season.
Kroeger posted a season-worst 51.9 punting grade from Pro Football Focus against the Titans, along with one of the worst punts I’ve ever seen from a professional punter, which went just 17 yards.
If Kroeger doesn’t improve in the final game of the season, New Orleans could open the 2026 season with a different punter for the fifth consecutive year—and for the record, I fully expect the Saints to explore the punter market this offseason.
