Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Chris Boswell has ended his hold-in ahead of the Steelers’ 2025 NFL season, returning to practice after a contract dispute.
- His return signifies a temporary resolution to contract tensions, allowing focus on team preparation for the upcoming season.
- Boswell’s performance, including a 2024 All-Pro season and career stability, reinforces his value as a top NFL kicker.
- This move reflects broader NFL trends where specialists like kickers are pushing for contracts that better reflect their performance and market value.
- The contract negotiations remain ongoing, with potential for future updates depending on Boswell’s performance and market dynamics.
Table of Contents
Chris Boswell Ends Hold-In Ahead of Steelers’ 2025 Season
What Boswell’s Return Means for Pittsburgh
Broader Implications: Kickers and NFL Contract Trends
What’s Next for Chris Boswell?
Chris Boswell Ends Hold-In Ahead of Steelers’ 2025 Season
Pittsburgh Steelers star kicker Chris Boswell has officially ended his hold-in during the preseason, returning to action just three weeks before the regular NFL season kicks off[2][3]. After a standout All-Pro season in 2024, Boswell’s temporary absence from practice drew attention as he sought a new contract with the Steelers — but for now, he’s back on the field, ready to continue his role as one of the league’s most reliable kickers.
Why the Hold-In Mattered
In 2025 training camp, Boswell’s hold-in was a form of protest to negotiate a new contract despite being under contract through 2026 with earnings of $3.12 million this year and $3.22 million next year[2][4]. The kicker, aged 34, came off a historic 2024 season where he led the NFL in made field goals with 41 and earned his second Pro Bowl appearance but remains the lowest-paid kicker in the AFC North[1][3].
His original four-year, $20 million contract signed in 2022 once tied him with Justin Tucker as the league’s highest paid, yet the kicker market has since undergone a reset, leaving Boswell seeking a deal that reflects his elite performance and veteran status[4].
What Boswell’s Return Means for Pittsburgh
Boswell’s preseason debut included handling the opening kickoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and participating in game duties normally given to the team’s primary kicker[2]. This return signals a resolution—at least temporarily—to contract tension, allowing the Steelers to focus on preparing their special teams without distraction.
His presence stabilizes a unit crucial to the Steelers’ strategy, given Boswell’s career field goal percentage of approximately 88% and his reputation as a consistent performer over a decade-long NFL tenure[1].
Undrafted kicker Ben Sauls, who had been taking reps during Boswell’s hold-in, will now likely see fewer opportunities, marking a clear vote of confidence for Boswell going into the 2025 regular season[3].
Broader Implications: Kickers and NFL Contract Trends
Boswell’s stance reflects a broader trend where even elite specialists are pushing for contracts that reflect their value, a departure from traditionally conservative kicker salaries. Despite already securing a lucrative deal, the market shift after 2022 emphasizes the rising importance of specialized roles in team success and salary negotiations[4].
This development also fits into a wider pattern of holdouts and holds-in across the NFL’s 2025 training camps, highlighting players leveraging their performance and market dynamics to renegotiate contracts mid-term.
What’s Next for Chris Boswell?
While Boswell has ended his hold-in for now, whether the Steelers will negotiate a new contract remains to be seen. With two years left on his current deal and a league marketplace in flux, a renegotiation would be unprecedented but could be prompted if Boswell continues to perform at an All-Pro level.
For Steelers fans and NFL observers, Boswell’s situation is a reminder of the evolving economics of the game, where key specialists like kickers are redefining their value in team strategy and compensation.
FAQ
Will Chris Boswell get a new contract soon?
It’s uncertain whether the Steelers will renegotiate a new deal with Boswell. His recent return to practice suggests some progress, but negotiations may still be ongoing depending on his performance and team strategy.
How did Boswell perform in the 2024 season?
Boswell had an All-Pro season in 2024, leading the NFL in made field goals with 41 and earning his second Pro Bowl appearance, showcasing his elite level of play.
What is Boswell’s career field goal percentage?
Boswell’s career field goal percentage is approximately 88%, reflecting his consistency and reliability as a kicker over more than a decade in the NFL.