The Pittsburgh Steelers gave a contract extension to one of the most consistent and important players on the team the last fews years: kicker, Chris Boswell. The veteran is heading into his eighth season and should be tied to Pittsburgh until at least the 2026 season. Boswell is fourth all-time connecting on 88.35% of his field goals. That number would be in the 90’s if it weren't for his 13-20 showing in the 2018 season.
The Steelers stuck with after the uncharacteristic season and he has proven since 2019, he is deserving of the extension. Boswell spoke to the media on Tuesday for the first time since the extension was announced. He has always been a man of few words and started out by simply describing how it feels to get a deal done with the organization.
Chris Boswell on his contract extension: "It feels really good. I'm glad we got it done." pic.twitter.com/vf3yVcFmcJ
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) August 2, 2022
"It's feels really good. I'm glad we got it done. We're still early into camp so it gives us plenty of time to get back to work. We have a lot more to do."
He managed to give a shoutout to the specialists, long snapper Christian Kuntz and punter, Pressley Harvin III after being asked what it was like to celebrate with them.
"That was good," said Boswell. "These two bring a lot to the table being so young in this league and they've done a hell of a job perfecting their craft and definitely making it a lot easier on me."
Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Boswell's maturity and humble side showed when he spoke on how good it feels, but it is already in his rearview.
"It feels good, but the way I look at it, that's a contract earned in the past and now I have to go earn the next one."
The stability of being part of the Steelers and city of Pittsburgh for an extended period time is a perfect scenario for the kicker and his family.
"It's a good feeling because coming in, I only had this year and just to have that stability that I will be here for the next couple of years and we'll just see where it goes from there and hope to be back for more."
He gave some insight on the process and about how long the conversations have been on going from his team and the franchise.
"It's been in the works since we got to camp, but all of that's behind closed doors, stuff that doesn't even pertain to me, I just let my agent do that," said Boswell.
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker, Chris Boswell (#9), celebrates a made kick against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. | Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The new contract is not going to prevent Boswell from competing and getting better every day. He realizes that a signed deal doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement on his end.
"I just got signed, but I still have to perform. Every day, I come out here and kick. Every game I have, I'm competing for my job because if I'm not getting the job done, then they'll find somebody to do it. This contract means a lot to me, but it doesn't have anything to do with my future. I got to earn that."
Steelers fans everywhere should be elated that Boswell will be in the black and gold for another five years. He has consistently been one of the best kickers in all of football, aside from 2018, and has been a huge safety net for the team. The less we see of him, the better as that means the offense is getting in the end zone, but it is sure nice to have him around in Pittsburgh for a while.
What do you make of Boswell's first comments since the contract extension was announced? Let us know in the comments below!
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