Football fans everywhere, including those of the Pittsburgh Steelers, love to talk about the big names and playmakers. This is surely understandable as the great passes and incredible runs and catches are hard to ignore. The fans, and media for that matter, also love to critique coaching decisions week in and week out. I'll be the first to admit that there have been times where criticism of Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin has been warranted.
With that said, he doesn't always receive credit for things that he has done, or not done for that matter, in the past. There is a certain decision made by Tomlin a few years back that does not get nearly enough credit for. When many people in Pittsburgh wanted kicker, Chris Boswell released after a tumultuous 2018 season, Tomlin stuck with his guy.
Steelers Could Have Parted Ways With Boswell After Rough 2018 Season
Back in 2018, Boswell was just 13/20 on his field goal attempts and what might even be worse, had five missed extra points. He was particularly inaccurate between 40-49 yards hitting at just 50% (5-10). In a cut-throat league, most organizations and coaches would be ready to move on, but not the Steelers and Tomlin. Boswell was relatively reliable from 2015-2017, but it appeared as if his 38 field goals attempts in 2017 took a toll on him during the 2018 season.
Kicker Chris Boswell at Heinz Field (#9) | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
In 2018, his field goal percentage was just 53.3% when kicking on a grass field. This was never more evident than when he slipped attempting to kick a game-tying field goal against the then Oakland Raiders in December when the Steelers were 7-4-1. The loss to the then 2-10 Raiders derailed playoffs hopes. If the Steelers had won that game, a 10-5-1 finish would have secured them the division.
Boswell Returns to Form in 2019
Boswell made the adjustment the following season. His field goal percentage on grass skyrocketed to 92% in 2019. Boswell returned in 2019 and started just as he ended the 2017 season, a Pro Bowl caliber kicker. He fixed a significant flaw that many people did not notice and has been one of the most important players for the Steelers since. He finished the season at a 93.5% field goal percentage going 29-31. The following year in 2020, Boswell had the same amount of attempts as he did in 2018, but this season was a different story in terms of field goals. He was 19-20, however he did struggle with extra points, missing four.
Fast forward to the 2021 season which was, arguably, the best of his career. Boswell had 10 career attempts from 50+ yards prior to 2021. He was 7-9 in those attempts. The Steelers kicker had nine field goal attempts from 50+ in 2021 alone and hit eight of them. He was second in field goals made from beyond 50 last season. Boswell seems to get better each year.
The most impressive and arguably most important statistic since the 2019 season began has been Boswell's clutch factor. The "Wizard of Boz" is an astounding 32-32 in field goals taken in the fourth quarter or overtime since 2019. The security blanket that he has become is a comfort to Steelers fans everywhere and a nightmare for every opponent.
While it is hard for Boswell to receive a ton of credit nationally because of Baltimore Ravens kicker, Justin Tucker playing in the same division, the Steelers veteran is shortly behind Tucker's field goal percentage of 93.7% since 2019. Boswell has hit 92.3%. If Boswell had hit all 20 of his field goals in 2018, he would currently be listed first all time, ahead of Tucker, in the history of the NFL with a field goal percentage of 91.7%. That's how good and reliable he has been throughout his career with the Steelers.
Are you thankful that Tomlin stuck with Boswell after his rollercoaster of a 2018 season? Let us know in the comments below!
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