Andre Szmyt

Andre Eric Szmyt ( ; born September 26, 1998) is an American professional football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange.

College career Szmyt redshirted his true freshman year in 2017, and was named to the SU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in the fall.

In 2018, Szmyt became the first Syracuse kicker and third freshman to win the Lou Groza Award, and was named a unanimous All-American, being the first since Dwight Freeney in 2001. Szmyt also won the 2018 Vlade Award. In 2018, Szmyt connected on 30 of 34 field goals, and hit all 61 extra points. He also kicked a season-high 54 yard field goal in a loss to Pittsburgh.

In the 2019 season, Szmyt was successful on 17 of 20 field goals, one of which was a 50 yard field goal in the beginning of the second quarter in a loss at Florida State. Against Wake Forest on the last week of the season, he connected on a 49 yard field goal with 44 seconds left until the Demon Deacons tied the game. In overtime he also kicked a 40 yard field goal in the 39-30 win (Syracuse got the score off a fumble return touchdown).

In the 2020 season, Szmyt successfully completed 9 of 11 field goal attempts in a shortened season.

In the 2021 season, Szmyt only successfully completed 9 of 14 field goal attempts.

Szmyt's performance was marred by coaching changes and his holders switching, but he returned to a better form when Bob Ligashesky took over as the special teams coordinator in 2022. That season, he connected on 20 of 26 field goals and all 40 of his extra point attempts.

Professional career

Chicago Bears Szmyt was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2023. He was waived by the Bears on August 8.

St. Louis Battlehawks On January 22, 2024, Szmyt signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He re-signed with the team on August 21.

Cleveland Browns

On December 24, 2024, Szmyt was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Cleveland on January 6, 2025. On June 4, Szmyt was waived by the Browns. He was re-signed on June 26. On August 26, Szmyt made the Browns' initial 53 man roster, beating out incumbent Dustin Hopkins for the kicking job. On September 7, Szmyt missed an extra point to tie the game, and late in the same game missed a field goal that would have given the Browns a win against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 17–16 loss, causing some media and fans to criticize him. However, 2 weeks later on September 21, Szmyt hit a game-winning 55-yard field goal to beat the Green Bay Packers in a 13–10 comeback win.

On April 6, 2026, Szmyt re-signed with the Browns.