Saints Reveal Strategic Roster Updates
The New Orleans Saints have made significant roster updates with the promotion of kicker Smyth, a notable figure from Northern Ireland.
Saints Roster Updates: Kicker Smyth’s Journey
Smyth, standing at 6’4″ and weighing 210 pounds, joined the Saints as a free agent in 2024 through the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program. He has been part of the team’s practice squad for the past two seasons.
Key Performance Highlights
After taking over the kicking duties in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, Smyth has demonstrated impressive performance metrics:
- Field Goals Attempted: 5
- Field Goals Made: 4
- Longest Field Goal: 56 yards
- Successful Onside Kick: Yes
His 56-yard field goal is noteworthy, as it ranks as one of the longest first attempts in NFL history. In Week 15, he further showcased his skills by scoring a 42-yard field goal and the decisive 47-yarder, clinching a victory against the Carolina Panthers. This moment marked New Orleans’ first game-winning field goal since 2022.
A Unique Background
Before joining the NFL, Smyth was a goalkeeper for Down GAA, playing Gaelic football. He started playing this sport at the age of four and became an Ulster under-20 champion. In 2023, he made his senior debut in Ireland’s inter-county league.
Smyth holds a master’s degree in physical education from Belfast University. Remarkably, he is only the second Irish kicker to make an NFL appearance via the IPP program, following Jude McAtamney. Notably, he is the first to achieve this status without any previous college football experience.
About the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program
Launched in 2017, the IPP program aims to help elite international athletes hone their skills and earn a place on an NFL roster. Smyth’s successful transition highlights the program’s effectiveness and opportunities for international talent.
