Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has been a mainstay for the AFC North squad for nine years now. In 2022, he had one of his worst career years. After three consecutive seasons of making over 90% of his field goal attempts, he was just 20-for-28 (71.4%) last season. The margin for error in the NFL is so slim, particularly at the kicker position. That number was second-worst in his nine-year NFL career.
Not only was he ineffective, but he also missed five games due to injury. It was the second time in three seasons in which he missed multiple games due to a groin injury. While kickers are still vulnerable to picking up an injury, it's far less common than any other position. Steelers Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith knew they had to make a change. As a result, Smith and Boswell came up with a new program this past offseason to keep him healthier.
"I changed his routine. We do a different routine this year than we did a year ago. [We] did a lot of studying over the offseason, with guys who don't get hurt, and guys who do get hurt. There are some quality kickers in this league that kick a lot that are never hurt. Really studied it, and I met with him [Boswell] about it and we set up a program. We're getting a little fruit off that tree on that program," Smith said to reporters.
Knock on wood, but Boswell has yet to miss a game in 2023. He's returned to his old self too, as he's 17-for-18 (94.4%) on field goal attempts thus far, which would be the second-best rate in his career. In fact, his only missed kick took place in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If you remember, the referees didn't do the special teams unit any favors in the end to that first half.
After Boswell initially made an impressive 56-yarder, the referees threw a flag on left guard Isaac Seumalo for "lining up in the neutral zone." Upon replay, it was clear that no one along the Steelers' special teams unit lined up in the neutral zone. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin wasn't happy, and neither was Boswell. After the game, Boswell took to Instagram to present the clear evidence that Seumalo was not in the neutral zone.
Of course, the penalty moved things back five yards, and Boswell subsequently missed the 61-yarder. That is his only miss on the season, so he technically should be 18-for-18. The veteran hasn't missed an extra-point attempt, something he hasn't done since 2021. The Steelers have gotten the Boswell of old in 2023, which is one of the best kickers in all of football.
Will Steelers Kicker Make It Back To Pro Bowl?
Kickers have enjoyed a solid season across the NFL, as Boswell's 94.4% conversion rate is seventh amongst his peers. Smith referenced the fact that they studied kickers that are never hurt, which seemingly includes the likes of Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens. The future Hall of Famer miraculously hasn't missed a game in his 12-year NFL career.
The six-time Pro Bowler hasn't been as good this year, as he's already missed four field goals. He's in line for the second-worst season in his impressive career, which could end the four-year streak of him making the Pro Bowl. That could open the door for a guy like Boswell, if he's able to keep things up over the final two months of the season. After there was speculation regarding Boswell's future in Pittsburgh, it seems like that's all but gone now thanks to the new plan implemented by Smith.
Where does Boswell rank amongst the best kickers in Steelers history? Does he deserve to make it to his second career Pro Bowl in 2023?
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