Former Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth is on course to make his NFL debut after kicking a 65-yard field goal during a New Orleans Saints’ open practice game this week.

It came after he made a 37-yard winning field goal with ease in his first field goal attempt at any level of American football to give the Saints a 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in a pre-season clash earlier this month. For context, Smyth’s 65-yard field goal is just one yard shy of Justin Tucker’s record.

The 22-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Saints as a kicker in April as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program, and is competing with Blake Grupe for kicking duties this season. 

“It’s nice to know that you can knock one in from 65,” New Orleans coach Dennis Allen told to NOLA.com

“I think we kicked six in that deal, and I think he was five-of-six, if I’m not mistaken. So, I thought he kicked the ball really well in the practice environment. And look, he’s a talented player and being able to make one from 65, I think that’s great. But we’re not going to attempt a ton of 65-yarders.

“So, it’s really, to me, what are we really getting inside of 50 and the consistency in that range? Because that’s where a majority of the kicks are going to come.”

🚨INSANE🚨#Saints rookie kicker Charlie Smyth HIT A 65-YARD FIELD GOAL at the team’s open practice tonight.

WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FROM 73 YARDS+.

🤯🤯🤯

POWERFUL LEG for the 22-year-old
former Gaelic football goalkeeper. pic.twitter.com/ZA9qzFX4vi

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 21, 2024

Tweet

Most Read Stories