Steelers Sign Promising Clemson Kicker Putting Some Pressure On Kicker Chris Boswell After Uncertain 2022

Potter is one of the best Tiger kickers of all time. In addition to his records for career field goals made, PATs, and kicks from distance, the Rock Hill, SC native missed just one PAT in five seasons. He was the first American Coastal Conference player in history to register 100 points in four different seasons, doing so in consecutive years from 2019 through to 2022. His 453 career points rank fifth all-time in the conference. He finished his career 73-of-97 on field goals (75.3 percent) and 234-of-235 on PATs (99.6 percent).

Despite all that, he still had some troubles with consistency during his tenure with Tigers, being benched and berated by head coach Dabo Swinney for missing a 24-yard field goal in 2019. But, he was just a sophomore and Swinney told Clemson Sportstalk at the time he knew Potter could work through it. 

“I haven’t lost any confidence in him,” Swinney said back in 2019. “He’s going to kick in the NFL. He’s probably the most talented kicker I’ve ever had, just pure talent and pure leg strength. But he’s got to grow up a little bit. He’s got to grow up and get the type of mental toughness that it takes to be special at that position. If he wants to be the guy, he’s got to earn it.”  

Steelers Looking To Put Pressure On Chris Boswell 

Kicker, Chris Boswell is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons as a pro and one insider hinted at the fact the team would bring in some camp competition for the veteran this summer after he struggled in a Week 17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. 

Boswell missed five games with a groin injury, forcing the team to use undrafted free agent signing Nick Sciba for one game before plucking familiar face Matthew Wright off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad to fill in for the next four. Now, Potter will get a chance to try and fill Boswell's shoes. 

The situation feels eerily to the summer of 2019 when the Steelers made sure to bring in competition for Boswell after he suffered an awful down year in 2018, making just 65% of field goals and missing five extra point attempts. Boswell responded by winning the competition and bouncing back to hit 93.5% of field goal attempts and 100% of the PATs in 2019. 

The Steelers are giving Boswell another challenger in the hopes of helping him regain his form. It worked last time but if it doesn't, Potter might end up taking over the job.

Steeler Nation, do you think like in 2019 when the team brought in extra competition Boswell will be able to respond? Does Potter have a chance to be the Steelers' next great undrafted kicker?