Overview
- The Saints signed Daniel Carlson on Monday to join a three-way competition with incumbent Charlie Smyth and rookie Tanner Brown for the Week 1 kicking job.
- Carlson is a two-time All-Pro who spent most of his eight-year career with the Raiders and holds a strong career field-goal rate, though his 2025 season dipped to 22 of 27 attempts (81.5%).
- New Orleans added Carlson after Smyth and Brown produced inconsistent results in training camp and the preseason, including multiple missed field-goal attempts that left the position unresolved.
- The move arrives just before the Saints’ preseason finale and the NFL roster cut deadline, so Carlson’s signing immediately affects who will occupy the final 53-man roster spot at kicker.
- If Carlson returns to his career form he could stabilize the Saints’ special teams and relieve pressure on the offense, but his recent decline means the job is still earned in practice and game reps and could reshape Smyth’s and Brown’s careers.