After a surprising 6-11 season that exceeded low expectations, the New Orleans Saints are building momentum for a bigger leap in 2026. Head coach Kellen Moore’s first year gave young players valuable experience, and now the team is retooling for a brighter future.

The latest move? Inviting veteran kicker Younghoe Koo to their upcoming rookie minicamp. Koo, a one-time Pro Bowler, brings proven talent—but he’ll need to show he still has it after a tough 2025 season.

Last year, the Saints rotated between two kickers: Charlie Smyth and Blake Grupe. Grupe struggled badly, missing an NFL-high eight kicks through Week 12 before being released (he’s now with the Colts). Smyth was more reliable, hitting 75% of his field goals compared to Grupe’s 69.2%, though both were perfect on extra points.

Koo, 31, played sparingly in 2025—one game for the Falcons and five for the Giants—but made just 66.7% of his field goals and 92.9% of extra points. That inconsistency explains why he’s still searching for a contract this late in the offseason.

Currently, the Saints have Smyth and undrafted rookie Mason Shipley on the roster. Koo hopes to earn a spot, and a strong showing at minicamp (May 8-10) could be his ticket back. For a team aiming to climb the NFC South, every position battle matters—and this one adds an intriguing twist to their offseason story.