Steelers' Chris Boswell Reveals An Official Update With Fans Amid Contract Rumors

Chris Boswell is entering his 11th season as the Pittsburgh Steelers' kicker. The veteran made his preseason debut on Saturday night despite a number of rumors surrounding his contract, with Boswell officially ending his hold-in prior to the game on Saturday. Boswell led the league in made field goals in 2024 with 41 and will look to continue building upon his Pro Bowl season.

Boswell has been one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL for over a decade. His Pro Bowl appearance in 2024 is just his second despite nailing 88% of field goals attempted throughout his career. Boswell signed a four-year deal in 2022 worth $20 million and is under contract through 2026. The veteran making his season debut in Saturday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals that the long-time Steelers' kicker will be ready to go with no further distractions by Week 1.

Boswell kicked Saturday's opening kickoff to get things going while also kicking off following a Brandon Johnson touchdown. The veteran didn't kick a field goal in his first appearance of the preseason, but rookie kicker and former Pittsburgh Panther Ben Sauls booted two extra points and missed his only field goal attempt of the night. Boswell has been an anchor on the Steelers' special teams unit his entire career and will look to continue his success in Pittsburgh throughout 2025. 

The veteran kicker has made it clear he wants a new contract. Boswell was a first team All-Pro selection in 2024 for the first time in his career and was the third-highest paid kicker in the AFC North. Boswell was tied with former Baltimore Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker as the highest paid kicker in the league when he originally signed his extension in 2022, but the veteran now finds himself ranking at 11th among all kickers in terms of average annual salary.

Steelers' Two Longest Tenured Players Find Themselves In Similar Contract Situations

Boswell is not the only veteran on the Steelers' roster that wants a raise. Legendary defensive lineman Cam Heyward has recently sent the sports world into a frenzy by holding in throughout training camp. Heyward signed a three year $45 million extension to stay in Pittsburgh last summer, but the veteran has continued to hold-in for a number of weeks now and has been rumored to request a significant increase in pay from General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers' front office.

Heyward is a 14-year veteran who has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. The veteran had arguably one of the best years of his career in 2024 and may use that as leverage in contract talks, but many feel as if the Steelers' front office will only be willing to pay him a certain amount due to the legendary defensive lineman entering his 15th season at age 36. 

Pittsburgh has not been known to negotiate with players just one year into their deal in the past, but Heyward could find himself becoming an exception as the veteran is a crucial component of the Steelers' defensive line.

Boswell and Heyward find themselves in very similar situations. Both veterans are the longest tenured players on Pittsburgh's roster while each found themselves having an excellent season last year. Boswell playing in the preseason game on Saturday against the Bucs is a promising sign going forward, as many are anticipating Heyward to make his 2025 debut in the near future as well.

Do you think Boswell and Heyward should adjust their extensions? Do you think Heyward's hold-in could affect him being available in Week 1 against the New York Jets? Will Boswell get a new contract in 2026? Let us know what you think in the comments down below!

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