Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender, according to Mark Kaboly of the Athletic (Twitter link). Boswell will now be paid $2.914MM for the 2018 season.
Boswell was one of 14 NFL restricted free agents to be tender at the second-round level, and he’s the fifth — following Falcons guard Ben Garland, Jaguars running back Corey Grant, Seahawks cornerback Justin Coleman, and Jets receiver Quincy Enunwa— to officially sign his tender. There was no rush for Boswell to ink his tender, as RFAs have until April 20 to work out offer sheets with other clubs. However, it was always unlikely that any NFL team would have been willing to sacrifice a second-round pick in order to land Boswell.
Boswell, 27, is now entering his fourth season as the Steelers’ placekicker. In 2017, Boswell earned his first Pro Bowl berth after 92.1% if his field goal attempts, including a perfect four-for-four from 50+ yards. Football Outsiders ranked Boswell seventh in the NFL with 8.4 points added via field goals and extra points.
Regardless of whatever stats and analytics say, this guy is the best and most clutch kicker in football today.
Will he be that in a year or two? Who knows, but if I was a close-to-contending team that has no kicker (hello Vikings), I’d have given up the 2nd for him.
No offense, but that’s why you aren’t an NFL GM. NO kicker is worth a 2nd round pick.
He is our MVP
That’s NOT a good thing. Especially when trying to beat the Patriots. I don’t know if it was Haley play calling or just lack of execution by Ben
They had the Patriots beat if you have this coming years rules. The playoff loss to Jacksonville was because of the defense. Shazier left a big hole in the middle of the field. And don’t get me started on mike Mitchell
Anytime your kicker leads league in FG’s it’s a sign of red zone futility. Mitchell was a non factor except for occasional personal foul penalty. Need a safety that can factor in run game and pass game
The fun thought here is that Adam Vinatieri was enjoying his rookie season with the Patriots at the same time that Chris Boswell was scampering off to kindergarten.