For most athletes, signing a multi-year contract with an NFL franchise sounds like the moment everything finally falls into place—the finish line after years of sacrifice. Stability. Security. Proof that you’ve made it. But for Charlie Smyth, the reality is far more complicated. While fans back home see headlines, dollar signs, and a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, the 24-year-old kicker sees something very different: uncertainty, pressure, and a reminder that in the NFL, nothing is ever guaranteed. And that truth—often overlooked, rarely explained—might be the most revealing part of Smyth’s remarkable journey so far.
A Contract That Looks Safer Than It Really Is
When news broke in December that Charlie Smyth had signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, it felt like validation. The Down native had earned his opportunity the hard way, fighting through roster cuts, practice-squad limbo, and the unforgiving reality of professional American football. The deal came just days after a defining moment—a clutch 47-yard, game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers that announced Smyth’s arrival on the NFL stage.
From the outside, it looked like a breakthrough. A kicker proving his worth. A team rewarding performance. A future seemingly secured.
But Smyth is quick to caution against that assumption.
“The reality of it is that there is no guaranteed money,” he explained. “That means they can just get rid of you if you are not performing.”
It’s a stark contrast to what many fans—especially those more familiar with European football—might expect.
NFL Contracts vs. Premier League Reality
Smyth’s comparison to the Premier League cuts straight to the heart of the misunderstanding.
“In the Premier League, I believe all their contracts are guaranteed,” he said. “Any time you sign a contract in most professional sports, they have to pay out your salary to fire you.”
That safety net simply doesn’t exist for most NFL players, especially specialists like kickers. Contracts might say “three years” on paper, but unless guaranteed money is attached, those years can vanish overnight.
Smyth knows this better than most.
This isn’t his first multi-year deal. It isn’t even his second.
“I signed a three-year deal in April 2024. It didn’t last. I signed a two-year deal in January of last year. It didn’t last,” he revealed. “This is my third one, so I’m not getting too ahead of myself.”
That perspective is shaped not by pessimism, but experience.
Living With Constant Evaluation
The NFL is relentless. Every practice rep, every warm-up kick, every game-day moment is a test. For kickers, the margin for error is razor-thin. One missed field goal can change a game—and sometimes a career.
Smyth understands that reality and embraces it.
“I know people at home see it and might think, ‘Look, he’s set now,’” he said. “I’m not too worried about that. I’m just going to go out, do my thing and trust that good things will happen if we keep locking in and keep doing the right things.”
It’s a mindset forged through instability. Rather than chasing comfort, Smyth focuses on consistency.
From Waived to Wanted—Again
Smyth’s journey with the Saints hasn’t been linear. Initially signed to a three-year contract in March 2024, he was waived just months later in August. Instead of walking away, he accepted a place on the practice squad—another reminder of how quickly things can change in the league.
That humility paid off.
When his opportunity finally came in November, Smyth made the most of it. Over the course of the season, he connected on 12 of 16 field goals, including a five-field-goal performance against the New York Jets. He also went a perfect 13-for-13 on extra points.
Those numbers matter. In a league built on trust and results, reliability is everything—especially for a kicker.
“It’s Not Just About Kicking”
Statistics tell one part of the story. Smyth insists the rest happens behind the scenes.
“It’s not just about kicking,” he said. “It’s about being a good person and being somebody who people want to be around.”
In NFL locker rooms, where careers can hinge on small decisions made by general managers and coaches, character matters more than fans often realize. Smyth recalls a blunt message delivered early in his career.
“The general manager told us during our first meeting when we were rookies,” Smyth explained. “The moment you stop performing and, if you’re a bad person, they’ll get rid of you.”
That message stuck.
Smyth prides himself on being respectful, approachable, and professional—traits he believes have helped him survive in a cut-throat environment.
“You might not think it does,” he added. “But that stuff really matters.”
A Locker Room Favourite
Despite being one of the newer faces in the Saints’ dressing room, Smyth has clearly made an impression. After one standout performance, head coach Kellen Moore presented him with the match ball—an honor that triggered a swarm of teammates celebrating around him.
Those moments matter, especially for a kicker, a position that can feel isolated.
Smyth’s growing popularity extends beyond the field. Even the locker-room banter has become a source of joy.
“The boys give me a hard time now,” he laughed. “The accent still sort of plays off a bit on me.”
Sharing a locker corner with versatile star Taysom Hill has only added to the humor.
“He just cannot understand me at all,” Smyth joked.
It’s a small detail, but one that highlights Smyth’s comfort within the team environment—no small achievement for an international player adapting to American football culture.
Enjoying Success Without Illusions
Smyth is careful to strike a balance between gratitude and realism. He’s not denying the perks that come with playing in the NFL. He’s simply refusing to let them distort his perspective.
He recently bought himself a Chevrolet Equinox—a modest reward for years of hard work.
“I don’t want people thinking I’m not happy with it,” he said. “It’s still nice over there. I’m getting well looked after—but it’s not maybe what people think.”
That comment perfectly captures Smyth’s outlook. Yes, he’s enjoying success. No, he’s not pretending it comes with long-term guarantees.
Back Home, But Not Switching Off
Currently back in Ireland until next month, Smyth is using the offseason wisely. Rest, reflection, and refinement are all part of the plan before he returns to the United States to ramp up preparations for the next campaign.
“I know it wasn’t a perfect season,” he admitted. “But I’ve got things to work on in the off-season and I feel like we’ve built a good foundation there.”
There’s no talk of complacency. No illusion that last season’s success automatically carries over.
In the NFL, every year starts at zero.
Why Smyth’s Story Resonates
Charlie Smyth’s journey resonates because it strips away the fantasy of professional sport and replaces it with something more honest. His story isn’t about guaranteed wealth or instant stardom. It’s about adaptability, self-belief, and surviving in a system that offers very little security.
“It’s not as if you can go to other leagues,” Smyth said. “It is cut-throat—but I’ve the self-belief that I can keep going and keep doing good things.”
That belief, more than any contract clause, is what keeps him moving forward.
A Role Model Beyond the NFL
Smyth recently spoke after meeting an Under-13 flag football team from St Marnock’s National School in Portmarnock—young athletes preparing to represent Ireland at the 2026 NFL Flag Football International Championship during Pro Bowl Week.
With flag football rapidly growing across Ireland, Smyth’s presence represents more than just personal success. It’s proof that unconventional paths are possible, even into the world’s most competitive sports league.
Final Thoughts
Charlie Smyth’s three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints may look like security on paper, but his own words reveal a deeper truth: in the NFL, survival is earned daily, not promised.
“I’m not too worried,” he says—not because the situation is safe, but because he understands it completely.
That clarity, grounded in experience and humility, might be Smyth’s greatest strength of all.
