Report: Pittsburgh Steelers offer kicker Chris Boswell major four-year contract extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave Chris Boswell a contract extension on Monday that would tie him with the largest kicker deal in NFL history. Boswell was given a four-year extension worth $20 million, tying the contract that the Baltimore Ravens gave Justin Tucker in 2020. The contract matches Tuckers down to the guarantees included, as $12.5 million of his deal is guaranteed.

Chris Boswell gets huge new contract

“Steelers are giving kicker Chris Boswell a new four-year, $20 million extension that includes $12.5 million guaranteed,” explained ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “The four-year extension ties Boswell with Justin Tucker as the highest-paid kickers in NFL history.”

The move keeps Boswell, a Pro Bowl kicker, in Pittsburgh for the next five seasons as he enters the final year of his current contract. Boswell has been with the Steelers since 2015, and made 90 percent of his field goal attempts last season. He has put together three consecutive seasons over 90 percent in field goal percentage, putting his consistency as one of the main reasons for his new major contract.

He is now tied with Tucker as the two highest-paid kickers in league history as both signed four-year extensions for the same dollar amounts.

Diontae Johnson’s hold-in status

“There wasn’t any [update] today. We’ll see what tomorrow holds,” is all Tomlin said of receiver Diontae Johnson’s return to the field this week.

The star receiver did not attend the first week of OTAs with his team, but did appear for the second week. He also participated in the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp and showed up on time for training camp — although he has not participated in team drills yet.

Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time of his career last season, pushing what he believes his value is up to the level of other top receivers around the league. In the final year of his rookie contract, Johnson is set to receive a base salary of just $2.79 million this season.