Kicker Andre Szmyt is gaining notoriety for his performance in the Cleveland Browns’ dramatic victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 3.
Szmyt made two field goals, including a record 55-yarder with time expiring, to lead the Browns to a 13-10 win.
On Wednesday, Szmyt was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Blocked FG Helped Set Up Game-Winner
Szmyt’s 55-yard game-winner marked the longest successful walk-off field goal in Browns’ history. It came just minutes after Brandon McManus’ potential 43-yarder was blocked by defensive tackle Shelby Harris.
Set up at their own 47-yard line, the Browns traveled 16 yards on five plays on their next possession to position Szmyt for the winning kick. Szmyt was quickly mobbed by teammates, who then carried the celebration over to the Dawg Pound.
Szmyt also hit a 35-yard field goal and an extra point, all in the fourth quarter.
Szmyt Bounced Back From Week 1 Miss
Szmyt, a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Syracuse, had not kicked in an NFL game until this year. The former Lou Groza Award winner spent 2024 with the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks and connected on a league-high 19 field goals on 21 attempts. He was 8-of-10 on kicks of 40 yards or more and hit a 61-yarder.
The Browns signed Szmyt to their practice squad in December 2024 and waived him in June before re-signing him weeks later. After going 3-for-3 on field goals in the preseason, Szmyt beat out veteran Dustin Hopkins for the starting job.
Szmyt missed two kicks in the Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, including a 36-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, but the Browns ignored cries from disgruntled fans to move on from him.
He called his 55-yard kick — which came two days after he tweaked his left calf in practice — the most important one of his career.
“I’m super grateful, obviously, to the entire staff for believing in me and trusting in me and letting me come out here and show my craft and continue to work and put good stuff on tape,” he said, via the Akron Beacon Journal.
Szmyt First Browns Kicker Lauded Since 2023
Szmyt is the first Browns player to be named AFC Special Teams Player of the Year since Hopkins won in Week 7 in 2023.
Hopkins was released in August as part of final roster cutdowns after two seasons in Cleveland (2023-24).
The Browns (1-2) visit the Detroit Lions in Week 4.
Browns Make Big Announcement on Kicker Andre Szmyt After Packers Win