Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Remains A Leader While Retired After Revealing Private Conversation With Chris Boswell

The Pittsburgh Steelers were quite literally a couple of yards away from not making the 2025 postseason. Thanks to a missed kick by Tyler Loop as time expired on Sunday night, Mike Tomlin and co. captured the AFC North title and will host a Wild Card playoff matchup against the Houston Texans. The only reason that it was almost a heartbreaker for fans in the Steel City, however, was because Chris Boswell missed an extra point after a touchdown catch by wide receiver Calvin Austin III with under a minute to go. It appeared to be tipped by a Baltimore Ravens defender, and it almost ended in disaster.

Boswell has now been unsuccessful three straight weeks when it comes to big-time kicks. He missed one field goal in each contest against both the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, which is very unlike him, even if the failed attempts were not solely his fault.

All fans of the Steelers held their breaths as Loop set up to kick what would have been the game-winner during the NFL's final game of the regular season. Boswell is the team's second longest-tenured player behind Cameron Heyward, which means he had plenty of time in a locker room with future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The retired quarterback released an episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, on Tuesday, and revealed that he privately reached out to Boswell to encourage him ahead of the postseason.

"I know he's going through some stuff right now," Roethlisberger said. "I talked to him after the game and just encouraged him and gave him — tried to give him some upbeat advice on just staying confident because I know right now it can be hard and he could lose some confidence right now. But, just encouraging him and at some point, they're going to need him and, you know, just to keep doing his thing."

This speaks volumes as to how Roethlisberger still has somewhat of a voice in Pittsburgh's locker room. He went out of his way to comfort a former teammate who has not been at his best lately. That hints to what the Steelers' brotherhood is truly about. It has to be pretty awesome for fans to hear that the two-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller is still operating as a leader, even if it is in a small way.

Boswell is currently the sixth-most accurate kicker in NFL history. Pittsburgh has been able to rely on him for over a decade, and that has been a very comforting feeling knowing that he is nearly automatic. It has been a little bit of a rollercoaster ride over the course of Weeks 16 through 18, however. The last thing a kicker needs is a loss in confidence. It has ruined careers in the past, and the Steelers need Boswell at his very best in the playoffs.

The words from Roethlisberger probably were great to hear for Pittsburgh's kicker, specifically because his former teammate went out of his way to give him a pat on the back after a questionable stretch.

Steelers Will Need Boswell Against The Texans

It isn't expected to be warm on Monday evening in the Steel City. Houston boasts one of the best defenses in all of football. Pittsburgh may have to settle for field goals from time to time, and Boswell will need to be fully locked in for the entire 60 minutes in case his number is called. He has been a constant force in the NFL for the majority of his career, which is why he should be able to let go of the past and execute against the Texans.

Do you think that the Steelers will need Boswell to step up in the Wild Card Round? Let us know in the comments below!

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