Saints Face Cowboys with Kicker and Backup QB Spots Still Open
New Orleans plays Dallas in its preseason finale with roster cuts looming. The kicking competition features Tanner Brown, Charlie Smyth, and Daniel Carlson, with Brown converting all eight attempts in a recent practice. The backup quarterback battle also remains unresolved as the Saints prepare for the regular season.
The Saints enter Friday's exhibition finale with an 0-2 preseason record, while Dallas remains undefeated at 2-0. Roster cutdown day arrives Sunday, making this contest the final opportunity for fringe players to state their case. New Orleans has already shown discipline concerns, accumulating 12 penalties for 96 yards against the Rams, including flags on three of their first ten offensive snaps.
The kicking battle has tightened considerably, with Tanner Brown converting all eight attempts in Tuesday's practice, including two pressure kicks. Charlie Smyth and Daniel Carlson each made seven of eight, though Carlson's miss came during the live drill. At quarterback, Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson have traded strong and shaky outings across the two preseason games, leaving the backup role genuinely undecided heading into the finale.
This preseason finale could shape the Saints' early-season fortunes, as special teams miscues and backup quarterback play often decide close games in a competitive NFC South. Fans may see roster decisions ripple through the team's depth, affecting game-day performance in September. The kicking competition, in particular, carries weight—field goals routinely swing outcomes in tight divisional matchups, and an unsettled spot could create uncertainty for the coaching staff and players alike.