Steelers' Chris Boswell Remains Confident In Special Teams Operation Despite Recent Struggles

The Pittsburgh Steelers held off the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a wild game that clinched the AFC North in Week 18. The game featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter alone, thanks to unreal play from Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson. The game came down to a potential game-winning field goal that was pushed wide right by rookie kicker Tyler Loop. Now the Steelers are set to face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round on Monday night in Pittsburgh. After the Ravens game, Steelers star kicker Chris Boswell ran over to Loop to offer him words of encouragement.

During his time in Pittsburgh, Boswell has shown that an elite kicker is a luxury, not a privilege. He is the most accurate kicker in NFL history from beyond 50 yards. Boswell has won multiple games for the Steelers with his leg; in some games, he was their only points. Most notably, the Steelers' last playoff win in 2017 against the Kansas City Chiefs, in which Boswell made six field goals to secure the win.

While this season hasn't been his best, he still remains one of the NFL's elite. In his recent media availability this week, Boswell expressed his confidence in the special teams operations amid recent struggles.

"I'm always confident in you know, everything. I'm on the bad end of some kicks right now, and that's just 11 years into it, I'm gonna be on the bad end of some kicks," Boswell explained. "That never waivers in my confidence in myself or the snap or the hold or anything, some go in, some don't. Obviously, you feel bad about the ones that don't, but you gotta move on to the next one."

Boswell's time in Pittsburgh hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows. In the 2018 season, fans were calling for the Steelers to cut the Pro Bowl kicker after he had the worst season of his career. In that season, he was 65% from the field and missed five extra points. 

This season, Boswell is at 84% from the field. Not bad, but not his usual standards. Boswell missed an extra point in the regular season finale against the Ravens, a mistake that almost cost the Steelers the division. He has missed a few kicks lately, and it's time to start wondering if this is a concern. Some fans aren't worried fully, due to ESPN crediting Boswell's latest missed extra point as a block, and not a miss. 

Steelers Have A Big Decision To Make

Boswell has one more year on his current deal. He is set to be a free agent in 2027. By then, he will be 36 years old. It was reported during training camp that the All-Pro was partaking in a "hold-in" in hopes of receiving a raise. It's clear he feels he should be paid more, and he's probably right. However, Boswell's recent struggles have been alarming. He missed an easy chip-shot field goal against the Detroit Lions just a few short weeks ago that kept them in the game. He also missed one in Cleveland, which, to his defense, was in poor weather conditions.

So what should the Steelers do? Boswell has shown that he can bounce back from bad play. Afterall, he's done it before. Longevity isn't typically a problem for kickers; former Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri played until he was 47. Boswell has given the Steelers a luxury most teams don't have for the last 10+ years. The Steelers will likely give Boswell the extension he desires. However, if his play continues to decline, the Steelers may be left with no choice but to find a younger cheaper option. They've done it before. 

What do you think? Are you worried about Boswell and the special teams' struggles? Should the Steelers re-sign him or look for a younger, cheaper option via draft or free agency? Let us know in the comments. 

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