Not every single move the Pittsburgh Steelers have made throughout the 2023 offseason has been as extravagant as signing former All-Pro, Patrick Peterson. The team has been very active at nearly every position in an attempt to revamp a roster and shut down any belief that there is a rebuild going on. Training camp should be an extremely entertaining stretch as there will be players battling it out for, not just starting jobs, but roster spots as well. One of the more intriguing individuals to keep an eye on is a guy who most fans probably thought was a lock to be on the roster through 2026.
Steelers kicker, Chris Boswell stands on the field during pregame warmups as the team gets ready to take on the Buffalo Bills in 2021. Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_Photo)
The team's kicker, Chris Boswell signed a four-year extension in the summer of 2022. His consistency and big kicks in years prior earned him one of the most lucrative kicking contracts in the league, but the pressure of performing may have affected the results for him later that season. He battled some injuries and played in 12 games, only make 20 of 28 field goals.
It would be foolish to think that Boswell isn't the favorite to be kicking for the Steelers in 2023, but the organization signed undrafted free agent, BT Potter out of the University of Clemson and competition will be ever-present during camp. Potter has his work cut out for him, but Boswell is not a surefire lock to make the 53-man roster.
Granted, many fans wanted Pittsburgh to move on from Boswell after his horrible 2018 season when he made just 13 of 20 field goals and four missed extra points. He ended up bouncing back and responding to adversity in 2019 nailing 29 of 31 field goals without missing a point after attempt. It's easy to expect Boswell, the ultimate professional, to bounce back again.
Steelers kicker, Chris Boswell warms up prior to a 2021 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_Photo)
In five years at Clemson, Potter made 73 of 97 field goals which was good for a 75.3% field goal percentage. For comparison sake, Boswell has hit 86.3% of field goals throughout his NFL career, but his college mark at Rice University was 73.9%. The main takeaway from Potter's contract is the Steelers are probably just trying to give Boswell a little bit of competition to motivate him.
That doesn't mean, however, that Boswell is going to walk out of training camp on the roster if he has a rough go of things and Potter impresses the team's brass. Boswell would have to significantly underperform if the team was to decide that Potter may be the best option. Fans shouldn't expect the 2017 Pro Bowler to take a step back, though.
He has the experience of having a down year and bouncing back in a big way. His 2019 season was arguably the best of his career and he consistently kicked for the next two seasons after that which led to a lot of money in his pockets. Potter has a future in the NFL, but it isn't likely that it will come in Pittsburgh.
Former University of Clemson placekicker, BT Potter (#29) attempts a field goal while competing during a collegiate game. | Photo Credit: John Byrum / Icon Sportswire ,/Getty
Steelers Doing Their Due Diligence At Kicker
This won't be the easiest training camp of Boswell's career. He isn't coming off of signing a huge contract and Potter may be some of his toughest competition since he earned the starting job for the Steelers. With that being said, it's more likely than not that the signing of Potter is a standard routine. Competition makes athletes better and it's fair to assume this is an attempt to push Boswell back to his normal self. Potter's skillset will allow that to happen.
Do you think that Boswell could lose his starting job in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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