Saints Secure Veteran Kicker
New Orleans Saints Sign Veteran Kicker Daniel Carlson to Strengthen Special Teams Competition
Key Points
The Saints reportedly weren’t sold on their existing kickers, with NFL Media noting two kickers on the roster before Daniel Carlson’s addition.
Carlson’s rookie-year setback with Minnesota included being waived after missing three field goals in Week 2, a moment he later overcame during his Raiders tenure.
He tied for the NFL scoring lead in the 2020-21 season while with the Raiders, highlighting his ability to be a high-volume, clutch scorer.
Carlson played college football at Auburn from 2013-2017, which laid the groundwork for his NFL kicking career.
In 2025, Carlson appeared in all 17 Raiders games, going 22-for-27 on field goals (81.5%) and 21-for-22 on extra points, underscoring continued accuracy.
The New Orleans Saints signed veteran kicker Daniel Carlson, a two-time All-Pro, to settle their kicking competition ahead of the 2025 season. Carlson spent eight years with the Las Vegas Raiders and brings a 86.9% career field-goal percentage to a team uncertain about its existing options, Reuters confirmed through his agents.
The move signals the Saints' preference for proven stability over continued uncertainty. Carlson led the NFL in scoring during the 2020-21 season and appeared in all 17 Raiders games last year, going 22-for-27 on field goals (81.5%) and 21-for-22 on extra points, demonstrating continued accuracy under pressure.
From Waived to Proven Winner
Carlson's path to All-Pro status wasn't smooth. The Minnesota Vikings waived him in 2017 after he missed three field goals in Week 2 of his rookie year. But he recovered to become one of the NFL's most reliable scorers during his Raiders tenure, proving that early setback was temporary.
The eight-year veteran played college football at Auburn from 2013 to 2017, building the foundation for his professional consistency. His ability to bounce back from failure and deliver in high-stakes moments made him an attractive target for the Saints' search.
Saints Not Sold on Current Kickers
Before signing Carlson, the Saints were running a kicking competition between Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown. NFL Media reported the team had two kickers on the roster, suggesting neither fully convinced coaches of their reliability going forward.
The signing represents the Saints' desire to avoid costly kicking miscues that can decide close games. Rather than gamble on unproven options, the team chose a veteran with a track record of making kicks when it matters most.
What Carlson Brings to New Orleans
Carlson's resume speaks clearly: a 86.9% field-goal percentage over his career, two Pro Bowl selections, and leadership in NFL scoring during a key season. The New York Times reported his addition aims to "bolster kicking competition" and lock down a position that has caused uncertainty.
Last season with Las Vegas, Carlson proved he remains sharp, connecting on 81.5% of his field-goal attempts. That consistency, combined with his experience in pressure moments, gives the Saints a kicker who won't cost them games through missed kicks.
Roster Adjustments Needed to Finalize Deal
The Saints may need to trim their 90-man training camp roster to make room for Carlson, underscoring the urgency of settling the kicking position before the preseason. This wasn't a speculative add of a talented unknown—it was a practical football decision with immediate competitive impact.
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