Christopher Lynn Boswell Bio
Christopher Lynn Boswell is an American professional football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his accurate kicking, especially on long field goals, Boswell has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in professional football. He played college football for the Rice Owls and was signed by the Houston Texans in 2014 as an undrafted free agent. Boswell is currently the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history on attempts from 50 yards or more, and he has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Lynn Boswell was born on March 16, 1991, in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Worth, where he played high school football and developed into a highly regarded kicking prospect. His performance in high school attracted significant attention from major college programs, receiving numerous Power 5 conference offers before ultimately deciding to continue his football career closer to home.
Boswell comes from a unique family background. His father had grown up in Brazil, playing street soccer, which contributed to Boswell’s development as an athlete and may have influenced his kicking technique. This international connection provided him with a different perspective on sports and footwork that would later benefit his transition to American football kicking.
Path to the NFL
After high school, Boswell committed to play college football at Rice University, a member of Conference USA. From 2009 to 2013, he developed into one of the most prolific scorers in the school’s history. With 358 career points, Boswell finished as the second all-time leading scorer in Rice football history, trailing only ex-NFL wide receiver Jarett Dillard. During the 2012 season, he led Conference USA in both field goals attempted and tied for first in field goals made, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to his team’s success.
Boswell’s outstanding performance at Rice earned him recognition, being named Second-team All-Conference USA twice, in both 2012 and 2013. His consistency and range caught the attention of NFL scouts despite going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. On May 10, 2014, he signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career with a chance to compete for a roster spot.
Christopher Lynn Boswell Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
After signing with the Houston Texans in May 2014, Boswell competed with Randy Bullock for the starting placekicker position. He participated in all four preseason games but struggled with consistency, missing multiple extra point attempts. The Texans released Boswell on August 29, 2014, and he was later signed to the practice squad on September 23, where he spent the remainder of the season.
Boswell’s journey continued when he signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants on January 7, 2015. He was waived in August but re-signed in September. Unfortunately, he failed to make the final 53-man roster and was released. His persistence paid off when he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 3, 2015, becoming their fourth placekicker that season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2015–Present)
Boswell made his NFL debut on October 12, 2015, against the San Diego Chargers. He completed all three of his extra point attempts and made a 47-yard field goal, marking the longest debut conversion in Steelers team history. The following week against the Arizona Cardinals, Boswell went 4-for-4 on field goals, including kicks of 48, 49, and 51 yards, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He became the first Steeler in team history to make three field goals of 47 or more yards in a single game.
Throughout the 2015 season, Boswell demonstrated remarkable consistency, tying a franchise record for consecutive games played while scoring at least 10 points. He passed Kris Brown for the most made field goals by a rookie or first-year player in franchise history with 29. He finished the season with 113 points, setting Steelers records for rookie or first-year kickers in both points in a season and field goal percentage at 90.6 percent. In the playoffs, Boswell kicked four field goals in the AFC Wild Card Round victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, setting an NFL record for the most field goals by a rookie or first-year player in a playoff game.
The 2016 season saw Boswell continue his strong play. He kicked a career-high six field goals against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 18, becoming the first kicker in NFL history to convert at least six field goals in a game with five of those coming from 40 or more yards. In the Divisional Round playoff game against the Kansas Chiefs, he kicked six field goals, scoring all of the Steelers’ points in an 18-16 victory and setting a playoff record in the process.
Boswell earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2017 after another outstanding season. He made multiple game-winning field goals throughout the year, including a 53-yarder against the Green Bay Packers that tied the record for the longest NFL field goal ever kicked at Heinz Field. His clutch performances earned him recognition as one of the Steelers’ “Killer B’s” and solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top kickers.
Challenges and Recovery
The 2018 season presented significant challenges for Boswell. He signed a five-year deal in August but was placed on injured reserve on December 28 after suffering a grade-2 groin tear. He had a statistically down year, converting only 13 of 20 field goal attempts with a 65 percent success rate that ranked last among qualifying kickers. The injury required rehabilitation and adjustment heading into the following season.
Boswell rebounded impressively in 2019, going 29 for 31 on field goal attempts for a 93.5 percent conversion rate while making all 28 of his extra point attempts. This marked a strong recovery and reestablished him among the league’s elite kickers. He continued his solid play in 2020, setting a then-career-long 59-yard field goal against the Dallas Cowboys, which became the Steelers franchise record at the time.
Recent Success and All-Pro Recognition (2021–Present)
The 2021 season saw Boswell continue his consistency, converting 36 of 40 field goal attempts. He broke the Heinz Field field goal record with a 56-yard kick against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 of the 2021 season. On August 1, 2022, Boswell signed a four-year, $20 million contract extension with the Steelers.
Boswell’s 2024 season stands as the best of his career. On September 8, he became the first player in Steelers franchise history to make at least three field goals from over 50 yards in a single game, connecting on kicks of 57, 51, and 56 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. Throughout the season, he earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors. On November 17, he became the first kicker in NFL history with six or more made field goals in three career games and the first player in league history to accomplish that feat twice in a single season.
Boswell broke the Steelers franchise record for most field goals in a single season and was named to his second Pro Bowl on January 2, 2025. He finished the 2024 season converting all 35 extra point attempts and 41 of 44 field goal attempts, leading the NFL in scoring for the first time in his career and becoming the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. His exceptional performance earned him First-team All-Pro honors, the first such recognition of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Boswell is renowned for his leg strength and accuracy on long field goals. His background playing soccer in his youth, influenced by his father’s experience with the sport in Brazil, contributed to his powerful kicking motion. He has demonstrated the ability to make clutch kicks in high-pressure situations throughout his career, with multiple game-winning field goals in the final seconds of games. His consistency from 50 yards and beyond has made him historically accurate, establishing him as the NFL’s most reliable kicker in that range.
Notable Events and Milestones
Boswell’s career includes several historic milestones. He set an NFL record for most field goals by a rookie in a playoff game with four against the Bengals in January 2016. His 2015 debut season saw him become the youngest kicker to make four field goals in a postseason game. Most recently, his 2024 season saw him become the first kicker in NFL history to have two separate games with at least six made field goals in a single season, and he became the first player in Steelers history to lead the NFL in scoring.
Christopher Lynn Boswell Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Boswell has established himself as one of the most accurate and reliable kickers in league history. His career statistics include 299 field goals made on 341 attempts for an 87.7 percent success rate, along with 353 extra points made on 369 attempts for a 95.7 percent rate, totaling 1,250 career points. His longest recorded field goal is 60 yards.
NFL Highlights
Boswell has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections (2017, 2024) and was named First-team All-Pro in 2024 after leading the NFL in scoring with 158 points. He has earned numerous AFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Month honors throughout his career. His most recent milestone came in the 2025 season opener when he made a 60-yard game-winning field goal against the New York Jets, breaking the Steelers franchise record for the longest field goal which he had previously set in 2020.
Career Statistics Summary
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 299 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 341 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 87.7% |
| Extra Points Made | 353 |
| Extra Points Attempted | 369 |
| Points | 1,250 |
| Longest Field Goal | 60 yards |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season continued Boswell’s strong performance with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the season opener against the New York Jets, he made history by kicking a 60-yard game-winning field goal, breaking his own Steelers franchise record of 59 yards set in 2020. This performance earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors to start the season.
Throughout the 2025 season, Boswell remained a reliable asset for the Steelers. He finished the season converting 42 of 43 extra point attempts and 27 of 32 field goal attempts. His consistency and clutch performances continued to provide the Steelers with confidence in crucial situations. On May 11, 2026, Boswell signed a four-year, $28 million contract extension with the Steelers, tying him with Brandon Aubrey as the highest-paid kicker in NFL history and securing his future with the franchise.
Boswell’s partnership with the Steelers has proven mutually beneficial, with the team providing him stability while he provides them with consistent scoring and clutch kicking. His ability to deliver in pressure situations has made him a valuable member of the team, and his continued performance at a high level suggests he will remain a key contributor for years to come.