The New Orleans Saints may have come up short in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, but the scoreboard didn’t tell the whole story. While the loss stung, it also offered a glimpse into the future - and if what we saw on Sunday is any indication, that future might be brighter than expected.
Three young players in particular stood out: quarterback Tyler Shough showed flashes of real NFL potential, wide receiver Devaughn Vele made a statement with a breakout performance, and perhaps most memorably, kicker Charlie Smyth introduced himself to the league with a thunderous first impression.
Let’s talk about Smyth - because his story is something special.
A 56-Yard Debut? No Problem.
Charlie Smyth isn’t just any rookie kicker. He’s part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, hailing from Mayobridge, Ireland - a town that erupted in celebration when he nailed his very first NFL field goal attempt.
And this wasn’t your standard chip shot, either. With the Saints trailing and needing to close the gap to one possession, Kellen Moore didn’t ease Smyth into the moment.
He sent him out for a 56-yard attempt - a high-pressure kick by any standard.
Smyth stepped up and absolutely drilled it.
The ball sailed cleanly through the uprights, dead center, and with room to spare. It was the kind of kick that makes you double-check the replay - not just because it was good, but because of how effortless it looked.
That’s not just a good kick for a rookie. That’s a good kick, period.
And considering it was his first-ever attempt in an NFL game? That’s the kind of moment that turns heads.
From Mayobridge to the Superdome
Back in Ireland, Smyth’s hometown was watching - and they let the world know it. A video shared by NFL Ireland’s Michael McQuaid captured the scene in Mayobridge as the kick went through, and the reaction was pure joy. We’re talking about a town watching one of their own go from international hopeful to NFL game-changer in real time.
The Saints made a bold call by cutting Blake Grupe and choosing Smyth over Cade York, but based on what we saw in Week 13, that decision might already be paying off. Smyth didn’t just survive the moment - he owned it.
A Debut Worth Building On
It’s easy to overreact to a single play, especially in a league where the margins are razor-thin. But this wasn’t just any play.
This was a 56-yard field goal, on the road, in a high-leverage situation, by a kicker who only started kicking two years ago. That’s not just impressive - it’s rare.
And it’s not just about the distance. It’s about the poise.
The mechanics. The confidence.
Everything about Smyth’s debut suggests he’s not just a feel-good story - he might be a legitimate long-term option for New Orleans.
For a team that’s been searching for consistency at the kicker position, Smyth’s debut couldn’t have come at a better time. If he can build on this - and there’s every reason to believe he can - the Saints may have found themselves a hidden gem.
The Road Ahead
One kick doesn’t make a career, but it can start one. And for Charlie Smyth, that kick was a statement.
He belongs. The Saints saw something in him, and on Sunday, the rest of us saw it too.
Now, the question isn’t whether Smyth deserves another shot - it’s how many more we’ll get to see. If his debut is any indication, fans in New Orleans - and back in Mayobridge - have plenty to be excited about.