Steelers’ Chris Boswell Could Break An Amazing Record With Justin Tucker Out Of The NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into this year's offseason with lots of holes in their roster. The team needed to bolster its defense, and did so with additions such as Derrick Harmon and Jack Sawyer through the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers also picked up lots of high-caliber offensive talents, such as wide receiver DK Metcalf via trade. It's possible that the Steelers' most consistent position for the last few seasons has been kicker, as Chris Boswell has proven to be an asset for Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers have had a carousel of quarterbacks for the past three seasons, and it's been difficult for the team to get its offense to synergize. Boswell is often called on often to salvage points from drives that fall short and has been exceptionally good at it. Boswell has a career accuracy rate of 88%. Recently, Steelers' rival, the Baltimore Ravens cut their long-time phenomenal kicker in Justin Tucker. Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, but with him out of the league, Boswell may be poised to take the top spot.

Boswell currently sits as the fourth most accurate kicker in NFL history. Kickers Eddy Piñeiro and Harrison Butker are the only two other kickers that stand between Boswell and Tucker's record. To surpass Tucker, Boswell will need to kick and make 31 straight field goals. Boswell has made 272 out of the 309 he's attempted in his career and will need to get 303 out of 340 to beat out Tucker.

It's a difficult milestone to pass, but a very possible one. All of the top four kickers' accuracy rates are within one percent. While 31 straight field goals made would be difficult, it's not out of the realm of possibility for Boswell. It would be satisfying for the Steelers' kicker to take the record from a divisional rival too.

Boswell has been praised as the unsung hero of the Steelers. The kicker went to college at Rice University and was signed by the Steelers after going undrafted in 2015. Looking back, Boswell can be considered a steal, considering the amount of value that the Steelers have gotten from him. In 2024, Boswell became the first Steelers kicker to be named First Team All-Pro. While the NFL isn't short of competition for Boswell, the kicker is as likely as any other to take the title of most accurate from Tucker.

Although Boswell's accuracy comes in handy when an offensive drive falls short of a touchdown, too much reliance on a team's kicker could be seen as a crutch. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said during the 2024 season that he was tired of relying on Boswell alone to win games. In the Steelers' Week 9 victory over the Ravens, the score was 18-16, with Boswell accounting for all 18 points. Tomlin spoke on the issue in the postgame press conference. 

"I love [Chris Boswell]. I'm tired of him getting Player of the Week," said Tomlin. "He probably got Player of the Week again this week. He's deserving of it, but it reminds us of our warts. It reminds us of the work we need to do, but no doubt I'm thankful that he's on our team."

Although Boswell is a talented kicker, the Steelers' reliance on him may be seen as a weakness, and it exposes the greater flaws of the team.

Steelers Have Big Problems On Offense To Figure Out Before The Upcoming Season

It's undeniable that the Steelers' lack of a clear starting quarterback is the biggest issue that the team's offense faces. Boswell will only be able to salvage so many bad drives before the cracks begin to show. 

As talented as Boswell is, he is no replacement for the franchise quarterback that Pittsburgh desperately needs.

Do you think Boswell will pass Tucker as the most accurate kicker in the NFL? Do you think the Steelers rely on Boswell too much? Let us know in the comments.

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