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Upon Review: Grading the 2025 Steelers special teams

Originally posted on Steel City Underground | Last updated Mar 6, 2026 8:54 AM ET

Steel City Underground presents it’s ‘Upon Review’ series of Pittsburgh Steelers positional group grades for the 2025 NFL season with statistical analysis and performance reviews.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up the 2025 regular season with a 10-7 record, clinching a playoff spot in a tough AFC North. While the defense carried much of the load, special teams provided crucial reliability, flipping field position and adding points without major disasters. Led by kicker Chris Boswell and punter Corliss Waitman, the unit avoided catastrophic mistakes, ranked sixth in opponents’ punt return average (7.0 yards per return allowed), and eighth in opponents’ kickoff return average (25.2 yards). The special teams unit contributed steadily to a team that scored 397 points (15th in the NFL) and allowed 387 (17th). We look at the specialists and their grades.

Chris Boswell

Boswell continued his elite run as one of the league’s most consistent kickers. He connected on 27 of 32 field goals (84.4%, tied for 25th league-wide) and 42 of 43 extra points (97.7%). His long of 60 yards tied for seventh, and he scored 123 points (tied for 12th). Boswell excelled in high-leverage situations, going 9-for-11 from 50+ yards and strong from 40+ overall. PFF awarded him a 92.5 overall grade (5th among kickers), with his field-goal-specific mark ranking fourth.

His kickoff grade was lower at 14.2 (reflecting PFF’s quirky methodology for that category), but he remained a reliable anchor who prevented drives from stalling into punts. NFL.com stats highlighted zero blocks or major issues on his kicks, underscoring clean execution. In a season where the offense ranked mid-pack in scoring, Boswell’s clutch ability -including long makes that swung games -made him indispensable.

Grade: A

Corliss Waitman

Waitman handled punting after securing the job in camp, delivering a solid campaign. He launched 62 punts (13th in the NFL) for a 45.5-yard gross average (27th) and 41.7 net average (around league median, with sources noting 41.56–41.7). His long reached 67 yards, but placement shone: 26 punts inside the 20 (10th) and more downed inside than returned against him (26 vs. 25 returns allowed, totaling just 175 return yards). Hang time averaged around 4.5 seconds in key metrics, aiding coverage.

PFF gave him a 69.9–70.2 grade (18th among punters), praising inside-the-20 work and zero blocks but noting room for improvement in raw distance and consistency. Opponents averaged only 7.0 yards per punt return (sixth-best), crediting unit coverage more than elite hang. Waitman provided stability without game-changing flips of field position.

Grade: B-

Coverage and return

The Steelers special teams unit as a whole blended strong elements with average output. Coverage units performed well, limiting big returns (no touchdowns allowed on punts or kickoffs in key logs.

Carson Bruener earned high individual marks (91.5 PFF special teams grade with 15 tackles) while Ben Skowronek -a core contributor – earned Pro Bowl recognition for his work despite 19 special teams tackles; his PFF special teams grade for 2025 was 55.1. This relatively low mark for Skowronek stemmed largely from the fact that he led the Steelers with five penalties on special teams.

Coverage remained a strength, but the returners themselves provided modest production without big-play fireworks.

Punt returns were particularly conservative and low-impact. The Steelers ranked near the bottom in yards per punt return, averaging just 8.8 yards per return on 28 returns (247 total yards, per NFL.com team stats), with zero touchdowns and only one return of 20+ yards (long of 25). This placed them among the league’s lower performers in punt return efficiency.

Calvin Austin III handled most return duties, logging 15 punt returns for 101 yards (6.7 average, no TDs).

Kickoff returns showed slightly more volume under the league’s evolving dynamic kickoff rules, which boosted return rates across the NFL (76% returned league-wide in 2025). The Steelers returned 63 kickoffs for 1,524 yards (24.2 average, per NFL.com), with no touchdowns and a long of 37 yards (54 returns of 20+ but zero 40+). This average ranked mid-tier, reflecting steady but not explosive starts after opponent scores.

Kenneth Gainwell (26 returns, 633 yards, 24.35 average) and Jaylen Warren (noted in logs with returns around 25.6 average on fewer attempts) were the primary returners.

Gainwell earned a 79.2 PFF grade, Warren a 71.9, but return-specific marks were not elite, with no 40+ yard breaks highlighting a lack of game-changing speed or blocking.

Coverage grade: B+

Return grade: C

Overall, the Steelers’ special teams earns a B grade. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it was reliable-delivering points via Boswell, solid field position via Waitman and coverage, with minor errors and low-ranking returns.