Chris Boswell Bio
Christopher Lynn Boswell is an American professional football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in and weighing 185 lb, he is widely regarded as one of the league’s most reliable kickers, especially from long distance. He is currently the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history on field goal attempts of 50 yards or more. Over the course of his career, he has earned two Pro Bowl selections, first-team All-Pro honors, and a place atop the NFL’s annual scoring leaders.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Boswell played college football for the Rice Owls and entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent. After brief stints with the Houston Texans and New York Giants, he joined the Steelers and has remained in Pittsburgh ever since. His accuracy in pressure moments has made him a central figure in the team’s late-game strategy for the past decade.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Lynn Boswell was born on March 16, 1991, in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. He grew up in the Fort Worth area and attended Fossil Ridge High School, where he played high school football. His performances as a high school kicker drew attention from several Power 5 college programs, an unusual level of recruiting interest for a specialist at that level.
His father grew up in Brazil, where he played street soccer, instilling an early appreciation for kicking sports in the family. That background, combined with Boswell’s high school development, helped shape his mechanics and confidence. The combination of refined technique and competitive poise carried forward as he advanced toward the college ranks.
Path to American Football
After receiving multiple Power 5 scholarship offers, Boswell committed to play college football at Rice University, where he spent his college career from 2009 through 2013. He became one of the most productive kickers in program history, finishing with 358 career points, the second-highest total on the all-time Rice scoring list behind former NFL wide receiver Jarett Dillard.
During the 2012 season, Boswell led Conference USA in field goals attempted and tied for first in field goals made. He went on to earn two Second-team All-Conference USA honors, in 2012 and 2013, confirming his standing as one of the top kickers in the conference. In April 2014, Boswell declared for the NFL Draft, choosing to forgo his remaining college eligibility.
Chris Boswell Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Boswell went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft before signing with the Houston Texans on May 10 of that year, joining the team to compete with Randy Bullock. After participating in all four preseason games, he was released on August 29 but was re-signed to the practice squad on September 23, where he spent the remainder of the 2014 season.
On January 7, 2015, Boswell signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants. He was waived on August 16, re-signed on September 2, and waived again three days later after failing to make the final 53-man roster. These early stops sharpened his approach, even as he was still searching for a regular-season opportunity.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2015–Present)
Boswell signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 3, 2015, becoming the team’s fourth placekicker of that season. He made his NFL debut on October 12, hitting all three of his extra points and connecting on a 47-yard field goal in a victory over the San Diego Chargers. That debut conversion set a new Steelers record for the longest field goal in a debut, surpassing Todd Peterson’s 46-yard mark. He closed his rookie campaign as one of the most productive first-year kickers in franchise history, setting Steelers rookie records for points in a season with 113 and field goal percentage at 90.6, and earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December.
His postseason debut in January 2016 cemented his reputation. In the AFC Wild Card Round against the Cincinnati Bengals, Boswell kicked four field goals, including a 35-yard game-winner with less than 20 seconds remaining, setting an NFL record for the most field goals by a rookie or first-year player in a playoff game. The following season, he went 6-for-6 against the Bengals, becoming the first kicker in NFL history to convert at least six field goals in a single game with five of those from 40 yards or more. A signature 53-yard game-winner against the Green Bay Packers in 2017 tied the longest field goal ever kicked at Heinz Field and helped earn him a spot on the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Boswell’s 2018 season was interrupted by a grade-2 groin tear that sent him to injured reserve on December 28. He rebounded strongly in 2019, going 29 for 31 on field goal attempts and a perfect 28 for 28 on extra points. In November 2020, he set a new Steelers franchise record with a 59-yard field goal against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. After a five-year contract signed in 2018, the Steelers signed him to a new four-year, $20 million extension on August 1, 2022, keeping him under contract through the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Boswell’s kicking profile is built around long-range accuracy and composure in late-game situations. He is the most accurate kicker in NFL history on attempts of 50 yards or more, and he has repeatedly delivered game-winning kicks, including a 60-yarder to open the 2025 season against the New York Jets. His partnership with the Steelers’ special teams staff and his smooth mechanics allow him to handle both indoor and outdoor conditions with consistent results.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his rookie records and 60-yard Steelers-franchise record, Boswell has authored several historic performances. In 2024, he became the first kicker in NFL history to record three career games with at least six made field goals, including a 6-for-6 effort against the Baltimore Ravens. He also became the first Pittsburgh Steeler to lead the NFL in season scoring, finishing 2024 with the league’s top total. His first-team All-Pro selection that year marked his first All-Pro honor.
Chris Boswell Career Wins
While kickers are not measured in traditional wins and losses, Boswell has delivered several of the most memorable game-winning kicks in recent Steelers history. From his 35-yard walk-off against the Bengals in the 2015 Wild Card Round to a 53-yard game-winner against the Green Bay Packers in 2017 and a 60-yard game-winner against the New York Jets in 2025, he has repeatedly been entrusted with the season’s biggest moments. His accuracy and ice-cold demeanor have made him one of the defining closers of his era.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2024 regular season, Boswell had converted 299 of 341 career field goal attempts, an 87.7 percent success rate, and 353 of 369 extra point attempts, a 95.7 percent rate, totaling 1,250 career points. His career-long field goal stands at 60 yards, set against the New York Jets in 2025, and he has also recorded 418 career touchbacks. In 2024, he led the NFL in scoring with 41 of 44 field goals and a perfect 35 of 35 on extra points.
Other Performances
At the college level, Boswell remains the second all-time leading scorer in Rice football history with 358 career points, behind only Jarett Dillard. His two Second-team All-Conference USA honors in 2012 and 2013 reflect his dominance at the conference level, and he was the Conference USA leader in field goals attempted in 2012 while tying for the lead in field goals made.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season (through 2024) | — | 299 FGM | — |
| Conference USA (2012–2013) | — | 2x Second-team All-C-USA | — |
Chris Boswell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Boswell’s immediate family background is not widely documented. His father grew up in Brazil and played street soccer, an experience that helped foster his son’s early interest in kicking sports. That international upbringing, paired with Boswell’s Texas roots, shaped the foundation of his professional approach.
Personal Life
Christopher Lynn Boswell has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. He is a United States national based in Pittsburgh during the NFL season. Public information about a spouse, children, or other immediate family members is not broadly available at this time.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season opened with one of the most dramatic moments of Boswell’s career, a record-setting 60-yard game-winning field goal in a 34–32 victory over the New York Jets. That kick broke the Steelers franchise record for longest field goal, a mark Boswell himself had previously set in 2020. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the performance, continuing a run of individual recognition that began in 2024.
Across the 2025 regular season, Boswell converted 27 of 32 field goal attempts and 42 of 43 extra point attempts, finishing as one of the most accurate kickers in the league. His consistency helped anchor the Steelers’ special teams unit and gave the offense a dependable closer in tight games. On May 11, 2026, he signed a four-year, $28 million contract extension that tied him with Brandon Aubrey as the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.
Entering the next phase of his career, Boswell remains the centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s kicking game and a long-range weapon few teams can match. With his accuracy, his record-setting leg, and his experience in high-leverage situations, he is positioned to remain a Pro Bowl-caliber performer for the duration of his new contract. His continued production will be a major factor in the Steelers’ competitiveness in the seasons ahead.
