Steelers Reward Veteran Kicker With Record-Breaking Extension After 60-Yard Game-Winner

Pittsburgh, PA – September 12, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always prided themselves on rewarding loyalty, consistency, and grit. This week, they proved it again — in record-breaking fashion. Just 48 hours after Chris Boswell drilled a stunning 60-yard field goal to beat the New York Jets in Week 1, the franchise announced a lucrative extension for its veteran kicker, one that makes him the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history.

A Kick Heard Across the League

The moment itself seemed destined to become part of Steelers lore. With the game tied and just seconds left on the clock, Boswell trotted onto the Acrisure Stadium turf with the weight of the city on his shoulders. The ball was snapped cleanly, held firmly, and then launched off Boswell’s foot with a thunderous strike.

The 60-yard attempt — the longest of his career — sailed straight and true, clearing the uprights with room to spare. As the officials signaled “good,” the stadium erupted into a frenzy. Fans poured their voices into the Pittsburgh night, teammates mobbed Boswell near midfield, and highlight reels across the NFL had their moment for Week 1.

What few realized at the time, however, was that this single kick would also reshape Boswell’s market value overnight.

Record-Breaking Numbers

On Wednesday, multiple league sources confirmed that Boswell had signed a four-year, $26 million extension, with an average annual value exceeding $6.5 million. The deal places him ahead of Kansas City’s Harrison Butker and Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, making him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

It’s a milestone achievement for the 34-year-old, who has been with the Steelers since 2015 and quietly built a résumé as one of the league’s most dependable specialists. His new contract eclipses Butker’s $6.4 million annual salary and puts him in rare financial territory for kickers, a position often overlooked in roster-building discussions.

Head coach Mike Tomlin made clear that the deal was well-earned:

“This is a tough position, and consistency is everything,” Tomlin said. “Boswell has earned the trust of this organization time and time again. That kick on Sunday was just another reminder of why he belongs here long term.”

From Hold-In to Pay Day

The timing of the extension is particularly notable given Boswell’s quiet but deliberate stance during training camp. While not officially holding out, the veteran kicker staged what insiders called a “hold-in,” participating only minimally in practice while making clear he wanted a new deal.

At the time, the Steelers resisted, citing cap considerations and the need to evaluate other roster priorities. But Boswell’s Week 1 heroics against the Jets provided the perfect punctuation mark on his argument. In a league where games are often decided by just a few points, the ability to rely on a kicker from beyond 55 yards can mean the difference between playoff contention and irrelevance.

The Steelers acted swiftly, finalizing the extension within two days of his game-winner, signaling both appreciation and urgency.

The Evolution of the Kicker Market

Boswell’s new deal also reflects the broader evolution of the kicker market in the NFL. Just three years ago, his $5 million annual average under a 2022 contract tied him at the top of the league. But as more franchises recognized the decisive value of elite kicking, the market surged.

Philadelphia’s Jake Elliott re-signed for $5.5 million annually, Butker earned $6.4 million, and Tucker — long considered the gold standard at the position — was surpassed for the first time. Boswell’s new extension resets the bar once again, ensuring that kickers will be part of future salary cap conversations in ways they never were before.

Stability for the Steelers

For Pittsburgh, the move represents more than just dollars. It signals stability at one of football’s most underappreciated but critical positions. With quarterback Kenny Pickett still maturing and the offense working to establish consistency, Boswell’s reliability provides a safety net in close games.

The Steelers also managed to structure the deal without jeopardizing future flexibility. Recent contract restructures freed up space, giving general manager Omar Khan room to maneuver. That allowed Pittsburgh to lock down its Pro Bowl kicker while still planning for upcoming free agency and draft needs.

A Beloved Figure in Pittsburgh

Boswell has long been a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. Known for his quiet demeanor and workmanlike approach, he has never sought the spotlight, yet has consistently delivered when the team needed him most. His clutch kicks have defined playoff pushes, salvaged tight games, and, on Sunday night, reminded the NFL why specialists matter.

For Steelers fans, the record-breaking contract is more than just a financial headline. It’s a message that their team values consistency, loyalty, and performance under pressure.

One fan’s viral post after the extension captured the sentiment:

“That 60-yarder didn’t just win the game — it won him the bag. Boswell deserves every penny. Clutch is priceless.”

The Kick That Paid Off

Looking back, Boswell’s 60-yard dagger against the Jets may stand as the defining kick of his career. Not only did it deliver a Week 1 win, but it also became the final proof point that the Steelers needed to justify the richest kicker contract in NFL history.

For Boswell, the moment validated years of dedication and persistence. For Pittsburgh, it solidified the future at a position where trust is everything.

As Tomlin put it:

“When the game is on the line, you want to know your guy will deliver. Boswell’s been that guy for us for a long time. And now, he’ll keep being that guy.”

Conclusion

In a sport often dominated by quarterbacks, wide receivers, and pass rushers, it’s rare for a kicker to headline national news. But Chris Boswell has done just that. His 60-yard game-winner against the Jets electrified Pittsburgh, and his subsequent extension has reshaped the kicker market.

For the Steelers, the decision reflects a philosophy as old as the franchise itself: reward loyalty, value consistency, and take care of the players who deliver when it matters most.

Boswell’s career-long boot didn’t just split the uprights. It split open the history books — and secured his legacy as one of the most valuable kickers the NFL has ever seen.