EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints are signing free agent kicker Daniel Carlson, his agents told The NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.The move comes after almost a month of a kicking competition between Tanner Brown and Charlie Smyth that didn't appear to produce a winner. Now the Saints will appear to move ahead with Carlson, a two-time All-Pro in 2021 and 2022.Carlson, originally a 2018 fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, was with the Las Vegas Raiders from midseason 2018-2025. The Raiders did not re-sign him after he made only 81.5 percent of his kicks, his lowest percentage since 2019. Carlson also missed a PAT last season against the Jaguars in Week 9 and missed a potential game-tying field goal against the Broncos in Week 10.Smyth entered the offseason as a potential kicker for the Saints after taking over when Blake Grupe was cut last season. Smyth came to the Saints via the International Player Pathway and has been with the team as an additional practice squad player since 2024. He made 12-of-16 field goal attempts last year in six games.Brown was signed by the Saints in June after playing for the Louisville Kings in the UFL. Neither performed consistently in camp, and Smyth had two practice days with three misses. Brown went 2-for-3 in preseason games and Smyth missed his lone kick in the preseason.
