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Andre Szmyt relishes chance to make game-winning field goal: 'This one is definitely sweeter'

Szmyt made a 55-yard field goal to lead the Browns to a 13-10 win over Packers

Sep 22, 2025 at 12:44 AM

Kelsey Russo

Associate Editor & Staff Writer

As head coach Kevin Stefanski rounded out the presentation of game balls, he started by relaying the message to his locker room that "As you know, Andre has been through a lot."

Then, TE David Njoku pulled Szmyt into the middle of the circle formed by his teammates as Stefanski continued his speech. Stefanski put his hand on Szmyt's shoulder and looked at him, saying, "You've been through a lot. We've got your back. And I know who was watching that field goal go through, and that was your mom. Congratulations."

His teammates erupted in cheers, embracing him and patting him on the back following his 55-yard game winning field goal as time expired. The Browns beat the Packers for their first win of the season 13-10 with Szmyt's game-winner, as well as another field goal and extra point.

In July, Szmyt lost his mother, Lala, as she passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm, he said.

"This one is definitely sweeter. To pull through for my teammates, coaches and everybody who still believes in me, it feels good," Szmyt said. "Dealing with a lot personally, but it's good to come through. I know she's there with me and giving me strength and support. When I make these kicks, the first thing I think about is her and how she'd love to be here. Obviously, I do it for her as well. She was my biggest fan."

got that win TOGETHER@Ticketmaster | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/1cwGnuF2La
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 21, 2025

With two seconds left on the clock, the Browns field goal unit took the field. Szmyt took three steps back and two steps to the left before he picked his line for his target. After the ball was snapped, P Corey Bojorquez secured the ball to hold for Szmyt, who took his steps, planted his left leg and sent the ball into the air.

Szmyt watched the ball sail through the uprights and time expired, he looked at Bojorquez – whose eyes were wide with excitement and the realization of winning the game. Szmyt was quickly surrounded by his teammates in celebration, and they ushered him over to the Dawg Pound, which Szmyt jumped in to celebrate with the fans.

"I think my helmet was off my head partially," Szmyt said. "It was kind of spur-of-the-moment, and I jumped in. I don't even know why, but it was exciting to celebrate with my teammates. They all believe in me and have been supporting me, so to pull through for them is extra special."

For Szmyt, the first portion of the 2025 season on the field has had both high and low moments. He kicked a game-winning field goal in the third preseason game against the Rams and then won the starting kicker job as he made the 53-man roster. Then, in Week 1, he missed an extra point and field goal attempt that played their role in the 17-16 loss to the Bengals. Szmyt bounced back in Week 2 against the Ravens, making both field goal attempts and two extra point attempts in their 41-17 loss to Baltimore.

"It kind of sums up the kicking position," Szmyt said. "Not let the highs get too high, and not letting the lows get too low. Preseason hit the game-winner, win the job, but it's trying to stay level. Have a bad game and it feels like everything is crashing down and trying to get back to level. But you're here for a reason, and just kind of stacking the last week and going into this week and building confidence."

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what a moment for the kid!@AndreSzmyt | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/AEsUChkdmZ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 21, 2025

Outside of kickoffs, Szmyt then didn't take the field for a field goal or extra point attempt until the fourth quarter against the Packers in Week 3. With less than four minutes left in the game, Szmyt lined up and made a 35-yard field goal to put the Browns on the board. Less than a minute later, after an interception by S Grant Delpit set the Browns up in the red zone and RB Quinshon Judkins ran the ball in for a rushing touchdown, Szmyt took the field again for the extra point attempt. His made extra point tied the game at 10 apiece.

Those two kicks helped Szmyt prepare for the game-winning field goal, from the snaps by LS Rex Sunahara to Bojorquez's holds and the protection from the unit, to seeing the ball go through the upright on two consecutive kicks. He said he felt confident about the distance of the 55-yard field goal, as he had practiced from that distance and direction in pregame warmups.

When Szmyt jogged onto the field, he was ready.

"They didn't necessarily have to tell me," Szmyt said. "I was like okay you know we're going to hit this. Same thing, stick with my process. I trust those guys with my life, so it makes my job easier."

Through the early on-field ebbs and flows, his teammates and coaching staff have constantly supported him. His teammates lifted him up following the loss in Week 1, reiterating their confidence in his kicking ability and noting his daily work ethic. Both Stefanski and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone referenced the work they had seen from Szmyt all throughout the offseason.

So, when the kicking unit took the field for the game-winning field goal, that belief in Szmyt didn't waver.

"He's really good at what he does," Bojorquez said. "He's here for a reason and everyone here trusts him. He's a really hard worker, does what he needs to get the job done. Regardless of what the situation is, he just focuses on what he needs to do and performs when we need him to."