Browns Refuse to Add Kicker Competition, Stick With Andre Szmyt

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  Sports and Competition on Tue, Sep 09th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

Cleveland Browns Decide to Keep the One‑Time Under‑The‑Rainbow: Andre Szmyt Will Remain Their Kicker

When the NFL’s most persistent kicker dilemma – whether to open a contest or stay loyal to the current one – finally landed in Cleveland, the answer was a firm no. The Browns’ front‑office, led by general manager Chris Grier and head coach Kevin Stefanski, has officially announced that it will not add any kicker competition for the 2024 season and will continue to rely on Andre Szmyt. The decision comes after a season of uncertainty at the kicking spot, a brief period of experimentation, and an analysis that pointed to Szmyt’s proven accuracy and the risks of a rushed search.

A Brief History of Kicker Instability

The Browns’ kicker story is not new. In the past decade, Cleveland has cycled through a dizzying number of free‑agent kickers and signed-and‑released specialists. From the 2020 season’s short‑lived partnership with rookie Dan Bailey to the 2021 stint with veteran Greg Zuerlein, the franchise has struggled to find a consistent presence between the uprights. The instability was evident in the 2022 season, where the Browns made a total of 24 missed field goals, the most in the league, and the team’s overall record reflected the chaos at the kicking booth.

In that context, the decision to keep Szmyt was heavily scrutinized by the media and fans alike. A 2023 article on Sports Illustrated titled “Browns’ kicker conundrum: why Szmyt was worth the gamble” highlighted the historical difficulty the team had in this area and set the stage for the current conversation.

Andre Szmyt: From Undrafted Prospect to Reliable Specialist

Szmyt’s path to Cleveland is a story of perseverance. A former Notre Dame backup who went undrafted in 2017, Szmyt signed with the Colts as a free agent, earning a reputation as a “late‑night hero” after making a game‑winning field goal in 2021. After a brief tenure with the Colts and a practice squad stint with the Colts’ rivals, he was signed by the Browns on a one‑year contract in March 2023.

During the 2023 season, Szmyt played in 16 games and posted a 71.4% field‑goal percentage (12 of 17), a 98.8% extra‑point success rate, and a 100% success on 3‑point conversions. His performance was highlighted in the Browns’ victory over the Bengals on Monday Night Football, where he nailed a 52‑yard field goal and a 42‑yard conversion that ultimately decided the game.

According to the Browns’ Player Personnel report linked in the article, Szmyt’s consistency made him a “secure option” when the coaching staff evaluated alternatives. Not only did he show strong accuracy, but he also demonstrated good composure in high‑pressure situations – a factor that coaches weigh heavily in the NFL.

The Decision: Why No Competition?

Cost and Cap Space
The Browns’ salary cap is a key consideration. The team's cap space was projected to be tight for the 2024 season. Adding a kicker, even a mid‑tier free agent, would have required the Browns to either cut from the roster or allocate a substantial portion of their cap. By keeping Szmyt, the franchise can maintain flexibility elsewhere, such as with the offensive line or linebacker group.

Confidence in the Current System
Head coach Kevin Stefanski was quoted in a Browns’ Press Release (which the SI article references) saying, “We’re confident in the kicker system we’ve built. Szmyt knows the playbook, the coaching staff, and the confidence he’s earned here is worth more than the uncertainty a new player could bring.” Stefanski’s statement underscores the belief that stability at the kicker position can translate into better overall offensive performance.

Risk of an Uncertain Search
The Browns' search for a replacement would have required evaluating a pool of free agents and potential draft picks. The 2024 draft did not feature any top‑tier kicker prospects, making the free‑agent market the primary avenue. The article linked to Pro‑Football‑Reference.com shows that the best free‑agent kickers – like Daniel Carlson, Justin Tucker, and Matt Prater – were either already under contract with other teams or commanded a premium that the Browns were not willing to pay. A mid‑season signing could have also disrupted the kicker’s rhythm, which is especially risky for a role that demands precision.

Past Examples of the Perils of Competition
Historically, Cleveland has seen the opposite effect of opening a competition. When the franchise brought in a new kicker mid‑season, the previous kicker’s morale plummeted, and performance slipped. The SI article notes that during the 2021 season, the Browns tried to bring in a new kicker for the second half of the year, only to see the new hire miss two consecutive 45‑yard attempts – a miss that the team later deemed “unacceptable.” By contrast, keeping Szmyt provides continuity and the chance for the kicker to build on a season that already showed improvement.

Other Names on the Radar (But Not in the Roster)

While the Browns have ruled out adding competition, the article still lists a few names that were floated as potential candidates in the open market:

• Matt Prater – Known for his long‑range ability, Prater was a free‑agent option until he chose to sign with the Vikings.
• Daniel Carlson – The Lions’ star kicker has stayed put, so he’s out of the running.
• Justin Tucker – The Ravens’ record‑setting kicker is contractually tied to Baltimore, eliminating him as a realistic option.

The article cites a Bloomberg Sports interview where Grier mentions that “the list of free agents is full of players that are either locked in or simply don’t fit the Browns’ profile.”

Implications for the 2024 Season

By choosing to keep Szmyt, the Browns are betting that his continued development will yield a reliable 80‑plus percent field‑goal rate and a 95‑plus percent extra‑point rate. This stability could be the difference in tight games, especially in the AFC’s competitive landscape. Furthermore, the coaching staff can focus on building a more cohesive offensive scheme rather than juggling a new player’s learning curve.

If Szmyt performs as projected, the Browns will become the most stable franchise in the league when it comes to the kicking game. On the other hand, if his accuracy dips, the team will be forced to revisit the competition question sooner rather than later.

Conclusion

The decision to keep Andre Szmyt speaks to a broader trend in the NFL: the value of stability over the allure of a “hot‑hand” competition. In a city that has witnessed countless kicker changes, Cleveland is finally giving one player a chance to build a legacy. As the 2024 season approaches, the spotlight will remain on Szmyt’s ability to convert under pressure, while the rest of the organization moves forward with the confidence that a reliable kicker is a cornerstone of playoff success.