Smyth signs new contract with New Orleans Saints

County Down man Charlie Smyth has signed a new contract with the New Orleans Saints which guarantees him at least another off-season with the team as he attempts to forge a kicking career in the NFL.

Smyth, 23, has agreed a two-year deal which will keep under contract for that duration if he makes the Saints' 53-man roster next August.

The former Down gaelic footballer missed out on the roster five months ago but did secure a place in the Saints' practice squad which kept his NFL ambitions alive.

"Right now all it guarantees me is that I've got another off-season with the Saints and hopefully this time I can make the 53," the Mayobridge man told BBC Sport NI.

"I've got a whole lot better since I started this with the Saints and I feel that there's a reason why they want me back. Let's just roll with it and keep making kicks.

Smyth secured his first Saints contract last March after impressing in the NFL Combine, which was a series of trials for aspiring American Footballers.

As an Ulster Under-20 Championship winner with Down in 2021, Smyth had a bright future in Gaelic football, the sport he has played his entire life.

However, after deciding to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, he started to train with Tadhg Leader, a kicking coach for the NFL international player pathway (IPP) programme.

Along with Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Wicklow's Mark Jackson and former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader, Smyth attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Having impressed at the Combine and at pro-day trials, Mayobridge native Smyth was invited to the Saints' training facility before signing a contract.

The practice squad members remain on the books of their original teams in a pool of players that will continue to train and are on hand should injuries occur.

"If you don't make the 53, that contract is terminated," said Smyth of his latest deal.

"That's just the nature of the business but right now I'm just delighted to have signed on and all I know is that I'm going to get another off-season with the Saints to show them what I can do.

"There's no practice squad or active roster. Everyone in the 90-man squad is the same so I've got another off-season to prove myself. We'll see what happens."

Smyth knows full well that he faces a huge task in displacing current kicker Blake Grupe who had an impressive campaign with the Saints.

"You have to give credit to Blake. He had a really good year but the fact they want me back gives me great confidence that I'm doing something right," continued the 23-year-old.