Breaking: New Orleans Saints release struggling kicker Blake Grupe

It isn't just a new kicker joining the New Orleans Saints practice squad. The Saints are releasing their struggling starter Blake Grupe, too. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that Grupe will be waived in a corresponding move to Cade York signing with the Saints practice squad, where he'll compete with Charlie Smyth for the opportunity to kick in this week's road game with the Miami Dolphins. LouisianaSports.Net's Ross Jackson confirmed the news of Grupe's release.

Grupe's time in New Orleans was erratic. He made 81.1% of his field goals as a rookie in 2023, which was 4.8 points below average, before improving to 87.1% in 2024, which was 3.1 points above league average. His hit rate plummeted to 69.2% this season and ultimately led to his release. It's tough, but this is how it goes sometimes.

He'll go on waivers like all players after the NFL trade deadline passed earlier this month, and we could see another team pick him up. Longtime Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo spent some time on the New York Giants practice squad to find his bearings before he was promoted to their active roster. That may be the best path for Grupe, too.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Breaking: New Orleans Saints release struggling kicker Blake Grupe