Sep 21, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore looks on during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Saints' Kellen Moore has no choice but to take away a job from one of New Orleans' most important players from last season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Adam Holt | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 9:22 AM ET

The New Orleans Saints have plenty of question marks around their current roster under head coach Kellen Moore. One of the most concerning ones was actually a perceived strength as we entered the NFL season. Blake Grupe took steps forward last season as the team's kicker, but he has had issues to start this season.

Grupe missed another kick on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, and that tally keeps climbing on a nearly weekly basis. At this point, it is probably time to give someone else a shot at kicking for the black and gold.

Saints must move on from Blake Grupe at kicker

Grupe has really struggled so far this season. That's inarguable at this point. Grupe has hit 70% of his field goal attempts through seven games.

Blake Grupe's misses by range of attempt (through Week 7)

30-39 yard range: 1 miss
40-49 yard range: 2 misses
50+ range: 3 misses

The distance has consistently been an issue for him this season. With many teams around the NFL improving from 40+ yards out, taking a step back in that department simply cannot be the reality on special teams for the Saints. Grupe has missed six field goals this season after missing just four last season.

Kellen Moore exchanging words with Phil Galiano after Blake Grupe misses that 53-yard field goal.
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) October 19, 2025

Will the miss against Chicago be the nail in the proverbial coffin for Grupe? Kellen Moore defended Grupe earlier this month, but that confidence hasn't proven to help him improve his performances so far.

"I think Blake is a really good kicker. People go through challenging circumstances in this league, and so the job is to find the solution, get better. He knows that, we all know that. We're in this thing together and so certainly our goal and aspiration is how can we just execute at a little bit higher level and so that's where we're focused." -- Kellen Moore on Blake Grupe in early October

Charlie Smyth is on the Saints practice squad, and he is a young boot with a big leg. It is probably worth letting him get an opportunity to start simply to see if he has the potential to be a long-term answer. At 1-6, wins are hoped for when it comes to the outlook for the Saints, but the must look to the future when it comes to roster-building.

Grupe is a young player who had a lot of bright moments in 2024, but you also must be held accountable in the pros. New Orleans should go ahead and look elsewhere for their starting kicker.