Mike Tomlin calls Chris Boswell a 'serial killer' after 60-yard field goal lifts Steelers
Boswell's 60-yarder with 1:03 left put Pittsburgh ahead 34-23 against the Jets as the veteran kicker continued a string of long, clutch kicks.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin described kicker Chris Boswell as "a serial killer" after Boswell drilled a 60-yard field goal with 1:03 remaining to give the Steelers a 34-23 lead in their Week 1 victory over the New York Jets.
Boswell's kick proved decisive as Pittsburgh held on for the win. He finished the game 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts, including a 56-yarder in the second quarter, and converted all four extra points.
Tomlin praised Boswell's composure and competitiveness while explaining the unusual phrasing. "Our kicker is a serial killer," Tomlin said. "He’s got a low-pulse rate. He can’t wait to deliver." Tomlin added that Boswell routinely shows confidence from long range in warmups: "Bos always makes it from 60 in pregame. Bos always wants to bang from deep. That one he made in the first half, I don't even know if he even looked at me. It's fourth down and he walked on the field. But that's the type of guy you want banging for you under those circumstances."
Boswell, an undrafted free agent who joined the Steelers in 2015, has a history of long, clutch kicks. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod and his first All-Pro selection last season after converting 41 of 44 field-goal attempts, a total that led the NFL, and went 13-of-15 from 50 yards or more.
The Week 1 victory arrives amid increased attention on Pittsburgh following notable offseason acquisitions, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf, along with additions in the secondary such as Jalen Ramsey. The spotlight on the roster means early wins carry heightened scrutiny, and the opener victory will temporarily quiet critics as the team adjusts to new personnel.
Tomlin's remarks were widely noted for their colorful language, but team officials and teammates have emphasized Boswell's reliability. Boswell's 60-yard kick underscored his continued range and steadiness on pressure kicks, traits that have defined his role with the Steelers for more than a decade.
Pittsburgh will aim to build on the opener as the regular season continues. Boswell's performance provided a critical scoring margin in the Jets game and reinforced the veteran kicker's status as a key contributor to the Steelers' special teams unit.