By Ross Jackson
After holding off the competition last year, New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe will look to defend his starting role at kicker against last year’s International Player Pathway addition, Irishman Charlie Smyth.
Grupe won the battle convincingly last year throughout training camp by being the more consistent boot of the two and immediately finding success in the league’s new kickoff structure. A big deciding factor of the bout came down to reliability within 40-59 yards, an area where Grupe had a strong showing in 2024’s training camp and missed only one attempt during the regular season.
The Competitors
Grupe is entering his third year in the league after unseating now-Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz ahead of the 2023 season. He improved his 2023 81.1% field goal percentage to 87.1% last year and dropped his kickoff touchbacks to just 26.9% in the new format. That was the second-lowest percentage of touchbacks among everyone at the position with at least 50 kickoffs, per Pro Football Reference.
Grupe’s kickoff forced the 37 returns by opposing teams, T-No. 6 most in the league. The team’s coverage unit then only allowed an average of 27 yards per return, T-No. 11 among NFL special teams units.
Smyth quickly jumped on the scene because of his big leg. He consistently looks like he could hit from 60+ yards out with little hesitation. However, his missed opportunities within 50 yards during training camp may have been the biggest deal breaker in his first run at the position.
During mandatory minicamps in May, Smyth struck from 61 yards out with a kick that looked like it could have been good from 70.
He made headlines early last year as well, sinking a 37-yard game-winner in the preseason against the Arizona Cardinals. It was the first in-game kick of his professional career.
CHARLIE SMYTH TO WIN IT! 🇮🇪
IPP ’24 graduate and @Saints man Charlie Smyth hitting the game winner with his first NFL kick 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XiT37rhhZq
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) August 11, 2024
What It Will Take To Win
For Grupe, it’s going to be all about remaining consistent. While Smyth threatens with a big leg, reliability will be most important.
73.6% of field goals kicked in 2024 were within 50 yards. Only 15 total attempts camp from 60 or more out. Consistency inside of 50 yards is going to be the most important aspect of this competition.
Don’t forget about the new kickoff rules either. With touchbacks out of the endzone now resulting in the opponent gaining possession at the 35-yard-line in 2025 as opposed to the 30 last year, precise location during kickoffs is going to be much more valuable than leg strength alone.
BLAKE GRUPE, @Saints K – In ’24, on kickoffs, had a league low 26.9% touchbacks – Grupe’s average kickoff resulted in an opponent’s drive starting 71.9 yards from the end zone, league best figure for Ks with 40+ kickoffs (Per ESPN) #Saints #NewOrleans #whodat #NFL #NFLUK #nflnews pic.twitter.com/i92P7vowBM
— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) June 25, 2025
Is There A Front-Runner?
It’s Grupe’s just until it isn’t. Smyth is a fantastically talented kicker and his big leg provides a lot of excitement and potential. But the job for 2025 should absolutely be considered Grupe’s until otherwise noted.
This isn’t bad news for Smyth either, who is getting an undeniably unique swing at NFL development by playing the long game. The Saints have been granted another roster exemption for Smyth, meaning that he does not count against their roster limits during the offseason or regular season.
Grupe is entering a contract year while Smyth still has two left on his deal. If Grupe continues to improve in 2025, he could command a hefty price tag. If the Saints continue to develop Smyth in the meanwhile, it at least gives them an interesting option for how to move forward in 2026. If the talented kicker from Ireland doesn’t steal the role in 2025, he’ll be firmly entrenched in the conversation in 2026.
