With only ten days remaining until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2026 season, anticipation is building among fans and players alike. The Saints are set to begin their campaign on the road against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 13. This season, the No. 10 jersey will be worn by new kicker Daniel Carlson, an eight-year veteran who joined the team during training camp to solidify the kicking position. Carlson will be the 16th player in franchise history to wear this number, and as the countdown to kickoff continues, we take a closer look at the legacy of the No. 10 jersey within the Saints organization.
The history of the No. 10 jersey for the Saints dates back to the franchise's inception. The first player to wear it was Charlie Durkee, who served as the team's first kicker from 1967 to 1968. During his time, Durkee converted 33 out of 69 field goal attempts and successfully made all 54 extra point attempts. His impact on the team was significant, as he helped lay the groundwork for the kicking game in New Orleans.
Following Durkee, several notable players have donned the No. 10 jersey. Julian Fagan served as the team's punter from 1970 to 1972, averaging 41.6 yards per kick with a long of 71 yards. Bobby Douglass, who played quarterback for the Saints in the late 1970s, had a challenging stint, recording 1,418 passing yards and a 48.8% completion rate over his time with the team. His tenure highlighted the struggles the Saints faced during that era.
In the late 1970s, both Steve Mike-Mayer and Tom Jurich wore the No. 10 jersey as part of a rotation of kickers, but their combined performance was less than stellar, converting only 6 of 16 field goal attempts. In contrast, Brian Hansen and Doug Brien, who followed, found more success in the kicking game, with Hansen averaging 42 yards per punt and Brien achieving a remarkable 99.3% success rate on extra points during his six seasons with the Saints.
More recently, Brandin Cooks made a significant impact while wearing No. 10 from 2014 to 2016. Drafted 20th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, Cooks had a standout rookie season followed by two impressive years, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. His tenure ended when he was traded to the New England Patriots, but he returned to the Saints in 2025 for a brief period before being released.
Another notable player, Tre'Quan Smith, wore the No. 10 jersey from 2018 to 2022. Drafted in the third round, Smith struggled to replicate Cooks' production, finishing his Saints career with 131 receptions for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns. Marquez Valdes-Scantling also wore No. 10 in 2024, stepping up as a key receiving option during a challenging season for the Saints.
Now, with Daniel Carlson taking over the No. 10 jersey, the Saints hope to see a resurgence in the kicking game. Known for his consistency and reliability, Carlson's performance will be crucial as the team seeks to improve upon last season's results. As the Saints prepare for their season opener against the Lions, all eyes will be on Carlson to deliver the stability the franchise has been searching for in the kicking department.
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