Christian Kuntz Bio
Christian Kuntz (born April 13, 1994) is an American professional football long snapper who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Originally from Scott Township, Pennsylvania, Kuntz attended Chartiers Valley High School before playing college football at Duquesne University, where he set school records as a linebacker. After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, he has built a steady career as a specialist, appearing in 85 career NFL games. He signed a three-year extension with the Steelers in March 2024.
Early Life and Background
Christian Kuntz was born on April 13, 1994, in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, to parents Theo and Kathy Kuntz. He grew up with two brothers, Jimmy and Louis. Kuntz attended Chartiers Valley High School in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in both football and basketball. His athletic career faced an early setback when he suffered a ruptured spleen before his senior football season, forcing him to miss the entire year.
Despite the injury, Kuntz found success on the basketball court. He won a WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) championship alongside future NBA player T.J. McConnell, with whom he developed a friendship. His high school experience shaped his resilience and work ethic, qualities that would later define his professional career.
Path to Professional Football
Kuntz transitioned to college football at Duquesne University, where he played linebacker for the Duquesne Dukes from 2012 to 2016. His collegiate career encountered challenges, including a torn ACL during his sophomore season. However, he bounced back with impressive performances in his junior and senior years.
During his junior season, Kuntz recorded 26 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six pass breakups, and four interceptions. His senior year proved even more productive, as he compiled 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He finished his college career with a school-record 30.5 career sacks, and his 71.5 career tackles for loss rank sixth all-time in Football Championship Subdivision history. Kuntz earned second-team Associated Press All-American honors in both 2015 and 2016, and he was a two-time Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished 12th in the voting for the 2016 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in FCS football.
Christian Kuntz Career
Early Career (2017)
After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kuntz signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on August 28, 2017. He was waived the following day but his brief time with the Patriots proved formative. The experience led him to shift his focus specifically to long snapping, a specialization that would define his NFL career.
League Journeys (2018-2019)
Kuntz signed with the Denver Broncos on March 21, 2018, but was waived on June 14 of that year. He then joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, signing to their practice squad on December 17, 2018, before signing a futures contract on December 31. Kuntz was waived by the Jaguars on June 13, 2019.
His first stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers came on August 15, 2019. In the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers, Kuntz recorded five tackles and a sack, demonstrating his versatility. However, he was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.
Dallas Renegades Era (2020)
Following his release from Pittsburgh, Kuntz’s performance in the preseason drew attention from Daryl Johnston, the director of player personnel for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL. Johnston, a former Dallas Cowboys fullback, was impressed by Kuntz’s long-snapping abilities and recommended him to assistant coach Kenny Perry. Despite the Renegades already having a long snapper on the roster, Kuntz earned the position due to his superior coverage skills. Five games into the XFL season, the league suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and his contract was terminated on April 10, 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return (2020-Present)
Kuntz returned to the Steelers on March 30, 2020, but was waived on August 2. He subsequently had tryouts with the Houston Texans on August 20 and the Indianapolis Colts on August 23. On November 24, 2020, the Steelers signed Kuntz to their practice squad. He was released on December 23 and re-signed to the practice squad on December 29. After another brief release on January 6, 2021, Kuntz signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers on January 14, 2021.
On February 22, 2023, Kuntz re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract. His perseverance finally paid off as he secured a permanent role on the roster. On March 14, 2024, Kuntz signed a three-year contract extension with the Steelers, solidifying his place with the organization through at least the 2026 season.
Role and Responsibilities
As the Steelers’ long snapper, Kuntz handles snapping duties on punts, field goals, and extra points. His consistency and reliability in this specialized role have been essential to the team’s special teams operation. Working alongside the Steelers’ holder and kicker, Kuntz has become a trusted component of the special teams unit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kuntz’s journey to becoming a steady NFL long snapper spans multiple teams and leagues. His ability to stand out during brief tryouts and preseason appearances demonstrates his specialized skills. The XFL opportunity in 2020 provided valuable game experience when NFL opportunities were limited, and his performance there directly led to his return to the Steelers organization.
Christian Kuntz Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2017 to 2025, Kuntz has appeared in 85 games, recording 11 total tackles. His career has included stints with five different NFL franchises and one XFL team before establishing himself as the Steelers’ long snapper.
NFL Career Highlights
Kuntz has maintained a steady presence in the NFL through his specialization as a long snapper. His ability to contribute on special teams, including the five-tackle, one-sack performance in the 2019 preseason with Pittsburgh, has demonstrated his value beyond his primary role. His career trajectory shows steady growth from an undrafted player to a valued specialist with a multi-year NFL contract.
College Achievements
Before his NFL career, Kuntz was a dominant defensive player at Duquesne. His 30.5 career sacks remain a school record, and his 71.5 career tackles for loss rank sixth all-time in FCS history. His recognition as a two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time second-team All-American highlighted his elite-level talent before transitioning to the NFL as a specialist.
| Level | Games | Tackles | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | 85 | 11 | 2017-2025 |
Christian Kuntz Family
Family Background
Christian Kuntz grew up in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, as the son of Theo and Kathy Kuntz. He has two brothers, Jimmy and Louis. His athletic family includes basketball connections, as his high school teammate T.J. McConnell went on to play in the NBA. The Kuntz family has maintained strong roots in the Pittsburgh area, which may have contributed to Christian’s eventual return to the region with the Steelers.
Personal Life
Kuntz continues to make his home in the Pittsburgh area while playing for the Steelers. He remains active on social media, maintaining an Instagram account where he shares glimpses of his professional and personal life. His bond with former high school teammate T.J. McConnell has endured, with both athletes having reached the professional ranks in their respective sports.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Kuntz enters his sixth consecutive year with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Since rejoining the team in late 2020 and earning a permanent roster spot in 2021, he has become a consistent presence on special teams. His three-year contract extension signed in March 2024 provides him stability through the 2026 season.
The Steelers’ special teams unit relies on Kuntz’s consistency as their long snapper. Working with the team’s holder and kicker, he plays a critical role in the field goal and punt operation. As the Steelers compete for playoff positioning in the 2025 season, Kuntz’s reliable snapping remains an essential component of the team’s success.
At 31 years old, Kuntz brings experience from 85 career NFL games to the Steelers’ special teams. His journey from an undrafted player cut from multiple teams to a secured long snapper with a multi-year NFL contract exemplifies the perseverance required to maintain a career as a specialist in professional football.