Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints made a special teams splash this offseason by signing former Tulane punter Ryan Wright to a four-year deal. The team also signed running back Ty Chandler who could become an option in the return game. But even following those moves, it seems a foregone conclusion that New Orleans isn’t quite done shaking up that phase of the game.
Often referred to as the “third phase” of the NFL game, special teams is anything but the least important. The Saints made sure that it was also far from the least prioritized this offseason.
New Orleans made Wright one of the highest paid punters in the league relative to average annual value with a four-year, $14 million deal. The team is showing they are taking their multi-year punting woes seriously.
Similarly, the Saints have already begun to look into options at kick and punt returner after sending All-Pro returner Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks at last year’s trade deadline.
Along with signing Chandler, the Saints also conducted a pre-draft workout with explosive Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, including putting him through punt returner drills. Branch is expected to be a Day 2 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, signaling the Saints’ intent to potentially invest top-100 draft capital in a dynamic threat that can impact both the offense and return unit.
Don’t expect the Saints to be done there, however. The kicker role is likely one that will see competition this offseason. Incumbent Charlie Smyth was one of the league’s best and most inspiring stories last year.
However, for the sake of furthering his development and trying to have the best kicker possible in 2026, adding another competing kicker this offseason appears to be in the plans.
No matter what, New Orleans is likely to carry two kickers and two punters on the roster if for no other reason than to make sure their in-season picks have fresh legs going into Week 1. But adding a kicker to do more than just spell Smyth, but compete with him, wouldn’t be a surprise.
In an interview with Draft on SI’s Justin Melo, Iowa kicker Drew Stevens disclosed that he shared a meal with Saints staff after his Hawkeyes Pro Day.
Whether Stevens or otherwise, expecting Smyth to see some competition this offseason appears obvious. It wouldn’t be a first for the Irish kicker, though. He spent two years kicking alongside former boot Blake Grupe and out kicked two veteran kickers, Justin Tucker and Cade York, on his way to claiming the starting role in 2026.
Competition is sometimes a part of development and the Saints are primed to bring it to Airline Drive this offseason.
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