New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Charlie Smyth may cost Blake Grupe his roster spot for 2024 season
The NFL offseason is a rollercoaster for many players. Being on the roster bubble can be difficult, and position battles will truly begin to rev up over the next few months around the league. For the New Orleans Saints, they have an intriguing situation at kicker. Will Blake Grupe be their kicker in 2024? Grupe […]
The NFL offseason is a rollercoaster for many players. Being on the roster bubble can be difficult, and position battles will truly begin to rev up over the next few months around the league. For the New Orleans Saints, they have an intriguing situation at kicker.
Will Blake Grupe be their kicker in 2024?
Grupe had some inconsistencies in 2023. As a rookie in the NFL, that is not a surprise. At least, it shouldn't be.
Former Saints kicker Wil Lutz had struggles as a rookie but became a solid boot for New Orleans after that season. For Grupe, he may do the same. The first half of 2023 saw the most struggles for him, while the back half sound more success. The young kicker did make some franchise history in 2023, too. The campaign had its ups and downs, but he joined Lutz on a prestigious list.
Grupe became only the second player in franchise history to score 100 points in his rookie season
Dennis Allen has made it clear during this offseason that there is an open competition at kicker, and they will make the choice that's best for the team in 2024. Grupe will have to earn it over Charlie Smyth, an Irish rookie.
International rookie Charlie Smyth battling for starting job
Smyth is a big leg, and the Saints inked him to a contract that can keep him on the roster through 2026.
Smyth went viral on social media earlier in the offseason for hitting long field goals
All in all, Grupe can't afford to let up at all during this summer. Smyth has the upside to be a great NFL kicker, but we have not seen much of him at Saints practice quite yet. That will change during training camp and the preseason.
Grupe hit 30 of 37 field goal attempts in 2023. He made all 40 of his extra point attempts.
Expect both Grupe and Smyth to get reps during the Saints' exhibition games to prove themselves.
Saints legend Steve Gleason receives special honor from ESPN
Well deserved.
