Saints End Kicking Circus, Sign Two-Time All-Pro Daniel Carlson

The New Orleans Saints just realized that relying on a kicking competition between an undrafted prospect and an international pathway player might not be the best way to score points in the NFL. After getting completely blanked in their latest preseason outing, the front office decided it was time to bring in an adult.

According to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, the Saints are signing two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson. The move was confirmed by Carlson's agents at Range Sports, instantly upgrading one of the most volatile spots on the New Orleans roster.

"Mike Garafolo reported the signing via Carlson's agents at Range Sports."

Up until this morning, the Saints had been holding a training camp bake-off between Tanner Brown and Charlie Smyth. Smyth actually has a great story as an International Player Pathway guy from Ireland who drilled a 56-yarder in his debut. But fun stories do not cover the spread in November, and the Saints clearly wanted a proven commodity.

Carlson brings actual stability to a team that desperately needs it. The former Las Vegas Raiders kicker is stepping into a building that is coming off a brutal 34-0 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams. When your offense manages exactly zero points and looks completely lost for four quarters, your kicker is probably going to be your most valuable player.

For anyone looking at Saints team totals or tight game props this season, this move completely changes the math. You go from crossing your fingers on every 40-yard attempt to having an automatic three points when the drive inevitably stalls out at the 25-yard line.

Carlson steps right into the starting job, ending the camp battle immediately. New Orleans gets a massive special teams upgrade just in time for the regular season, while Brown and Smyth will have to update their resumes and hope another team needs a camp leg.