The Pittsburgh Steelers face multiple contract decisions this offseason, but kicker Chris Boswell stands out as a prime candidate for an extension. Despite a challenging 2025 season, Boswell’s consistency over the years and expanded kicking range make a contract renewal critical for the team’s future stability. Boswell has two years remaining on his current deal, positioning him for negotiations this offseason.
Current Contract Status and Team’s Timing for Extensions
Although Boswell sat out part of last summer’s training camp practices, the reasons went largely unnoticed until questions arose about his absence from kicking drills. Now approaching the Steelers’ established timeline for contract talks, his extension discussions are expected to proceed smoothly. Typically, the Steelers handle such negotiations between minicamp and training camp, aiming to avoid distraction during crucial offseason periods.
Mark Kaboly, writing for 93.7 The Fan, emphasized the priority Boswell holds, stating,
“Right now, what you do is you look at who the highest-paid kicker is right now, you’re like, ‘Okay, let’s pay [Boswell] more than that’, and that sucker should be done”
. He added,
“The first one done should be Chris Boswell. But that’s still [down the road]. They’ve got to get through the draft and free agency and all that stuff before they do that”
.
Analyzing Boswell’s Performance During the 2025 Season
Concerns arose near the end of the season when Boswell missed a kick in each of his last three regular-season games—a 30-39 yard field goal in Week 16, a 50-plus yard attempt in Week 17, and an extra point in the finale. Overall, however, Boswell’s accuracy was solid, converting 27 of 32 field goals for an 84.4-percent success rate and missing only one extra point all season.
In 2024, Boswell demonstrated exceptional long-range ability, making 13 field goals of 50 yards or more. Though 2025 saw a decline to 9 of 11 successful attempts from that distance, his range remained impressive. His unconventional struggles came from the 30-39 yard range, making just 2 of 4 attempts, including one miss attributed to unusual field conditions and another to a snap error by long snapper Christian Kuntz.
One crucial moment occurred in the season finale. Boswell’s missed extra point shifted the dynamic, giving the Baltimore Ravens a chance to win the game with a field goal instead of settling for a tie. Although Baltimore attempted a short potential winning field goal, they missed, a result later credited to a blocked kick by official scorekeepers rather than Boswell’s miss directly.
Financial Considerations and Market Comparisons for Boswell
Currently, Chris Boswell is not among the top 10 highest-paid kickers in the NFL. In 2022, he signed a four-year extension worth $20 million, covering the 2023 to 2026 seasons. Since that signing, kicker salaries have increased, with 10 different players pushing salary boundaries. Harrison Butker tops the scale with $6.4 million per year, followed closely by Jake Elliott, both earning significantly more than Boswell’s current rate.
Given Boswell’s age of nearly 36, some might question long-term value, but kickers often maintain high performance well into their late 30s. His improved range strengthens the case for the Steelers to offer a contract near $6.5 million annually, potentially making him the league’s highest-paid kicker once again. This figure remains modest compared to other positional contracts and fits strategically within Pittsburgh’s salary structure, roughly equivalent to a third wide receiver or a strong nickel defender.
The Strategic Importance of Keeping Boswell with the Steelers
Securing Boswell’s services beyond 2026 has clear benefits for Pittsburgh. His established role and experience provide stability at a position that, while often overlooked, can directly influence close games and overall team success. Given his strong leg and historical reliability, the Steelers’ management is likely to prioritize his extension during upcoming offseason moves, aligning with their typical contract negotiation rhythm.
As the Steelers progress through the draft and free agency phases, keeping Boswell on board will help avoid disruption in special teams and maintain confidence in one of football’s precision roles. Should negotiations conclude smoothly, Boswell’s contract extension will reinforce Pittsburgh’s commitment to both continuity and strategic investment in key players.
