After weeks of watching their place-kicking battle not produce a frontrunner, the New Orleans Saints are adding another name to the mix.
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Saints are signing two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson.
Carlson, 31, entered the league as a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. He was waived after missing three field goals in the second week of his rookie year, finding a new home with the Las Vegas Raiders shortly after.
The veteran kicker was recognized with second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and first-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
He has a career field goal percentage of 86.9%, including an 81.5% average last year where he made 22 of his 27 attempts with two misses in the 40-49 yard around and three coming from 50-plus yards out.
Carlson joins kickers Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown in the ongoing battle for the position. Smyth and Brown have been competing since camp began, but neither has created separation so far.
The Saints will have to make a corresponding move to make room in the 90-man roster for Carlson’s addition as pressure rises in the place-kicker battle.
