Boswell Headlines Strong Unit

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published July 21, 2026, 8:09 AM

Steelers Special Teams – The Hidden Difference Makers

The chewing gum is gone, and so is the unmistakable Southern twang that made former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith one of the NFL’s most recognizable coaching personalities.

After coaching special teams in the NFL since 1995 with several organizations, Smith has moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where his energy and larger-than-life presence will undoubtedly make an impression.

Stepping into his place is Danny Crossman, who enters his 23rd NFL season with an impressive résumé of his own. Crossman brings decades of experience and a proven track record of developing productive special teams units.

During his time with the Indianapolis Colts, his unit became one of only two in the NFL to block a punt in three consecutive seasons (2020–22), highlighting the aggressive, detail-oriented approach he brings to the position.

Crossman’s arrival could also benefit one of the Steelers’ biggest strengths: kicker Chris Boswell. While serving as Miami’s special teams coordinator, Crossman helped oversee a career resurgence for Jason Sanders, who became the most accurate kicker in Dolphins franchise history in 2024.

It’s another example of Crossman’s ability to elevate an already dependable special teams group.

For a Steelers unit that has long relied on excellence in the kicking game, Crossman inherits a talented foundation and has the experience to make it even better.

Special teams rarely dominate headlines, but they often determine outcomes in the NFL. Pittsburgh enters 2026 with one of the league’s most experienced and dependable specialist groups.

Chris Boswell remains among football’s elite kickers, Cameron Johnston looks to rebound after an injury-shortened season, and Christian Kuntz continues to provide one of the NFL’s most consistent operations as the Steelers’ long snapper.

Unlike offensive and defensive positions, PFF does not publicly release Stable Metrics for kickers, punters, or long snappers. Instead, we evaluate these players through consistency, production, career trends, durability, and reliability.

Key Points

  • Chris Boswell is coming off another outstanding season.
  • Cameron Johnston returns after an injury limited his 2025 campaign.
  • Christian Kuntz has played every regular-season game since becoming Pittsburgh’s long snapper.
  • Continuity gives the Steelers one of the NFL’s most stable specialist units.

One of the NFL’s Elite Kickers

Chris Boswell continues to prove why he is one of the NFL’s premier kickers.

Boswell’s consistency and clutch performances were rewarded early in the 2026 offseason when the Steelers signed him to a four-year, $28 million contract extension. The deal, which keeps Boswell in Pittsburgh through the 2030 season, carries an average annual value of $7 million, tying him as the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

Throughout the 2025 season he consistently delivered in pressure situations, producing multiple elite PFF game grades, including outstanding performances against the Jets (93.0) and Packers (90.1).

While every kicker experiences the occasional off day, Boswell’s week-to-week consistency has made him one of Pittsburgh’s most dependable players regardless of position.

Few specialists have earned the trust Boswell enjoys. Whether attempting a routine extra point or a game-winning field goal, the Steelers know they have one of football’s most reliable weapons.

Key Points

  • Elite 2025 PFF kicking grade.
  • High game grades of 93.0 and 90.1.
  • Produced 30 made field goals.
  • Multiple Pro Bowl-caliber seasons during his career.
  • Remains one of the league’s most clutch kickers.

Fun and Durable

Christian Kuntz may receive little public recognition, but few players are more important to the operation of Pittsburgh’s special teams. Since taking over as the Steelers’ long snapper, Kuntz has appeared in every regular-season game, providing the consistency required for successful field goals and punts.

Long snappers are judged by reliability rather than statistics. The fewer times they are noticed, the better they have performed. Kuntz has quietly become one of the NFL’s most dependable specialists, allowing Boswell and Johnston to focus entirely on their jobs.

Key Points

  • Appeared in 85 consecutive regular-season games from 2021-25.
  • Has not missed a game as Pittsburgh’s long snapper.
  • Provides consistency on every punt and field-goal attempt.
  • Trusted veteran entering another season.
  • One of the league’s most reliable long snappers.

Looking to Bounce Back

Cameron Johnston enters 2026 with something to prove.

Johnston signed with the Steelers in 2024 to solidify the punter position, but his debut season ended almost immediately when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 1.

The injury opened the door for Corliss Waitman, who stepped in and delivered a strong performance throughout the season.

Waitman’s consistency ultimately earned him the job entering 2025, leaving Johnston on the outside looking in after just one regular-season appearance in Pittsburgh.

Now healthy, Johnston will look to revive his NFL career and prove he can once again be the dependable field-position weapon he showed earlier in his career.

Key Points

  • 2025 PFF Grade: 54.8
  • Career-best PFF season: 63.0 (2020)
  • Seven NFL seasons of experience.
  • Proven veteran capable of flipping field position.
  • Healthy return is the biggest storyline entering 2026.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com

 

 

 

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