By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
Throughout the first week of the 2019 training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers, arguably their most important position battle for them has been the one least talked about, their starting kicker. Chris Bowell inked a lucrative extension before last season, and appeared to be the security blanket the team needed based on his performance in 2017. However, Boswell went through a very tough 2018 season, which saw him go 13 for 20 and missing five extra points.
Boswell appears to be back on track, as he has gone 14 for 14 over the first week of training camp this year. However, his competition, Matthew Wright, is also went 14 for 14. Wright joins the Steelers in training camp as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Central Florida where he went a combined 55 for 71 (77.5%) over his four years. He did put together a strong senior season going 10 for 12 (85.7%). It appears as though Wright will continue to be a thorn in Boswell's side at least for a little while longer.
During the Pittsburgh Steelers Family Fest practice/scrimmage, Boswell took the first steps to securing himself the job. Boswell performed well in front of the crowd at Heinz Field as he made 7 of 8 field goals, including one from 52 yards out. Wright however, only connected on 5 of 8 and missed his 52-yarder. The good performance in front of a larger Steelers crowd at their home field should definitely boost Boswell's confidence and the coaches should have more faith that he is righting the ship.
The Steelers would love to see Boswell return to form, as they committed a good amount of money to him last season, and would eat a good amount of dead money if they were to cut him prior to the start of the 2019 regular season ($3.2 million). As long as Boswell continues to drill all his kicks throughout training camp and the preseason, he should be the kicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers come week 1, as it is his job to lose.
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