This is the ninth in a series reviewing the Steelers' 2024 lineup by position. Today: Specialists
Specialists: Chris Boswell, Corliss Waitman, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Realistically, you could add several other players to this list of specialists, as Connor Heyward, Miles Killebrew, Mark Robinson, Payton Wilson and James Pierre all played 250 or more special teams snaps. Players such as linebackers Jeremiah Moon and Tyler Matekevich also were on the team primarily to handle special teams duties.
But Boswell was the star of the group.
The 10-year-veteran had the best season of his career and arguably the best season for a kicker in NFL history, making 41 of 44 field goals, the second-most field goals in a single season in NFL history. As part of that, he nailed 13 of 15 field goal attempts from beyond 50 yards, with his two misses coming from 57 and 62 yards. His other miss came on a blocked attempt when a block up front was missed.
For his efforts this season, Boswell was named first-team All-Pro. He's now fourth in NFL history in career field goal percentage at just over 88 percent and is the NFL's all-time leader in field goal percentage from 50 yards and beyond among players with 50 or more tries at 82.7 percent.
The Steelers signed veteran punter Cameron Johnston in the offseason in an effort to improve their performance in that area and Johnston looked like a serious upgrade at training camp and in the preseason.
But after punting twice for a 51.5-yard average in the team's opener at Atlanta, Johnston suffered a serious leg injury and was lost for the season.
He should recover and have an opportunity to return in 2025.
The Steelers brought back Corliss Waitman, who had been on their practice squad during COVID and kicked in 2023 for the Broncos. Fortunately for the Steelers, he was available, as Waitman averaged a solid 46.4 yards per punt, while the Steelers allowed just 7.1 yards per punt return to rank 6th in the NFL in lowest punt return average.
The left-footed punter also helped turn some games by having a different rotation on his balls, causing several muffs over the course of the season.
Christian Kuntz finished his fourth season as the Steelers' long-snapper and received several votes on the Associated Press All-Pro team for his work this season.
Killebrew, an All-Pro last season, and Pierre also received All-Pro votes this season as a testament to how good overall the Steelers' special teams units played.
The team blocked three kicks this season, one each by Moon, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
Calvin Austin III handled the punt return duties and finished seventh in the NFL among players with 10 or more returns with a 10.3-yard average, including a 73-yard touchdown.
Austin showed he can be a game-changer as a return man.
Cordarrelle Patterson and Jaylen Warren were the primary kick returners, though that was one area on special teams where the Steelers could have been better, averaging just 23.0 yards per return under the new Dynamic Kickoff rules.
