Long-distance call: Steelers kicker Chris Boswell thrives on field goals of 50 yards or more

Chris Boswell has a converse relationship between the length of a conversation about field goals and the distance on his attempts. When it comes to discussing his job, the shorter the sweeter for the Pittsburgh Steelers placekicker. Boswell prefers not to talk about his past or his future, focusing only on his next kick, no matter how long.

“That plays no part in my mind at all,” Boswell said Wednesday. “If we need a kick, I’ve got to hit it. That’s about the extent I even think about it.”

Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, Boswell is the most accurate on field goals from 50 yards and beyond, where he has converted 42 of 51 attempts (82.4%) in his 10-year career. Boswell has the most field goals of 50 yards or longer (33) since 2021, including 12 of 14 field goals of 50 yards or longer this season, and has more successful field goal attempts from 50 yards or more than all the other kickers in franchise history combined.

No wonder Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t bother Boswell much before his field goal attempts.

“We don’t talk about distance. We don’t talk about anything. If he calls ‘field goal,’ I go out and kick it,” Boswell said. “We don’t talk about anything other than what we need to talk about on game day. If he calls field goal, I kick it. That’s literally the extent I think about or care about.”

Boswell, who ranks fourth in NFL history in field goal percentage from any distance (87.987%), has converted 93% (40 of 43) of his field goal attempts this season, with a long of 57 yards against Baltimore at Acrisure Stadium. The only misses were from 62 yards in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, 58 yards in the first quarter at the Cleveland Browns and on a 42-yard attempt in the third quarter that was blocked by Joseph Ossai of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 62- and 58-yard attempts were sure signs Boswell has earned Tomlin’s trust from almost any distance, especially given that his career long is 59 yards (twice, at Dallas in 2020 and against the N.Y. Jets in 2022).

“Just know that I feel pretty good sending ‘Boz’ out there under any circumstance,” Tomlin said. “We’ve got a relationship, certainly, but there’s not a lot of coaching required when the success rate is what he’s got going on this year. He’s been a big-time asset to us, certainly.”

Boswell not only has been the Steelers’ best offensive weapon at times but twice provided the entirety of their scoring in victories. He converted six field goals, including three of 50 yards or longer, in an 18-10 win at Atlanta in the opener and an 18-16 win over Baltimore on Nov. 17.

Even so, Boswell attests that it “says more to the defense to be able to win a game with six field goals.” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith called Boswell “a unique weapon, for sure.”

“He’s a special player in this league and certainly a weapon,” Smith said. “Boz, he’s one of the better specialists I’ve been privileged to be around. And that is a weapon. You get into scoring position, you want touchdowns but Boz is hitting field goals, and they all add up.”

Boswell enters Saturday’s season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals tied with Daniel Carlson and Neil Rackers for the second-most field goals made in a season in league history, only four shy of the record of 44 set by David Akers of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011.

Not surprisingly, that’s the furthest thing from Boswell’s mind.

“I’m more aware of it because everyone else is talking about it,” Boswell said. “That has nothing to do with us getting a win this weekend or not. If we need four, then cool. If we need zero and still win, I’m perfectly fine with that, too.”

This marks the fourth time in his career Boswell is perfect on extra points and the seventh time he’s at 90% or better on field goals. If Boswell is guarded about his success this season, it’s because he remembers the seasons in which he struggled, both of which came after he received lucrative contract extensions.

Boswell followed his only Pro Bowl season in 2017 by signing a five-year deal worth $19.72 million, only to convert a career-worst 65% (13 of 20) field goals and make 43 of 48 PATs that season. That included costly misses of a field goal attempt in overtime of a 21-21 tie at Cleveland and when he slipped on a potential tying field goal with 21 seconds left in a 24-21 loss at Oakland.

After signing a four-year, $20 million extension in August 2022, Boswell made 20 of 28 field goals (71.4%) and was inactive for one game and on the injured list for four others with a right groin strain.

Both times, he rebounded with a career-best 93.5% (29 of 31) on field goals. In fact, Boswell has rewarded the Steelers by converting a combined 92.7% of his field goals in 2019-20 and ’23-24. He’s learned to treat his kicking like his golf game, knowing it can be on-target one day and off the next. Boswell concentrates on doing his job and “keep making them and keep building that trust.”

“Confidence plays a huge factor in it,” Boswell said. “Some go in, some don’t. That’s just part of our weekly struggle. You’re the hero when you make it, and you’re not when you don’t. I’ve been on the good side this year, but that plays no role when you go into Saturday night’s game. You’ve got to start over every week.”