Charlie Smith: Former Gaelic footballer’s model of 2025 ‘won’t cut it long term’ in the AFL

Even when Smith was new to the sport, he had already been exposed to the harsh nature of the NFL, first in how the Saints cut their former three-year starter, Blake Grubb, to open up the starting spot, and also in how his countryman Judd McAtmanney was treated after costly mistakes for the New York Giants.

McAtamney, who like Smith is a former Gaelic footballer, but played American football in college, missed two extra points in a 33-32 defeat to the Denver Broncos in October and was released by the Giants without making another appearance.

Smith says it was “difficult” to see how McAtmanney was treated in the press and on social media in the aftermath.

“The highs are high and the lows are low,” he said.

“I missed that kick against Carolina, and I might not be sitting here now [as an NFL player]. This is the nature of sports.

“These contracts, nothing is guaranteed. The Saints could cut me tomorrow and they don’t owe me any money.”

While Smith has had to bounce back from his failings, he feels he can be proud that he gave his best when he was “needed” most, like that kick against the Panthers, but he is now targeting to improve his overall percentage next season.

After making a “pretty big adjustment” to his kicking style two weeks before stepping up to the top job last season, he will be hoping to sort things out ahead of the 2026 season and become more consistent going forward.

He added: “None of the misses were stressful. There are things I want to work on.”

“I feel like those misses in the last two games will push me to improve.

“There was a part of me, especially the left side that wasn’t great [after making adjustments]. This is the main work of the off-season.

“There’s one side that thinks you should be incredibly proud of yourself, but the other side is that the standard is the standard. That’s what will keep you driving.”

You can listen to GAA Social with Charlie Smith on BBC Sounds.